Probiotics for the Prevention of Acute Respiratory-Tract Infections in Older People: Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review was to present the indirect influence of probiotics on the incidence and duration of acute upper respiratory-tract infections in older people, by regulating the immune system. Eight randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials met the inclusion criteria, considering the threshold of older people being 60 years and over. Single strain probiotics were used in all studies, including three probiotic strains used in fermented foods: subsp. OLL1073R-1, subsp CNCM I-1518 and Shirota, and three probiotic strains used as food supplements: K8 CECT5711, CU1 and GG. Current evidence showed that certain probiotic strains were better than a placebo in lowering the incidence or number of older people experiencing acute upper respiratory tract infections; however, not all probiotic strains were efficient, and not all studies reported statistically significant outcomes. More high quality large-scale properly controlled clinical studies focusing on older people are warranted.