Intestinal inflammation is a frequent feature of cystic fibrosis and is
reduced by probiotic administration
E. BRUZZESE*, V. RAIA*, G. GAUDIELLO*, G. POLITO*, V. BUCCIGROSSI*, V. FORMICOLA_
& A. GUARINO*
*Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples; _Eurospital SpA, Trieste, Italy
Accepted for publication 10 July 2004
SUMMARY
Aims: To assess the incidence of intestinal inflammation
in children with cystic fibrosis and to investigate
whether probiotics decrease it.
Study design: In this two-phase, controlled, prospective
study, faecal calprotectin was measured by enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay in 30 children with cystic
fibrosis, 30 healthy controls and 15 children with active
inflammatory bowel disease. Ten children with cystic
fibrosis received Lactobacillus GG, and faecal calprotectin
was re-measured 4 weeks later. Rectal nitric oxide
production was measured with the rectal dialysis bag
technique in 20 children with cystic fibrosis, 20 healthy
controls and 15 children with inflammatory bowel
disease. Five children with cystic fibrosis received
Lactobacillus GG and nitric oxide was re-measured
4 weeks later.
Results: Mean faecal calprotectin was significantly
higher in the two groups of patients than in controls.
Abnormal values were detected in 27 of 30 cystic
fibrosis and in 15 of 15 inflammatory bowel disease
children. Also mean nitric oxide production was
increased in both group of patients, and abnormal
values were detected in 19 of 20 cystic fibrosis and in 15
of 15 inflammatory bowel disease children. Calprotectin
and nitric oxide concentrations were reduced after
probiotics administration.
Conclusions: Intestinal inflammation is a major feature
of cystic fibrosis and is reduced by probiotics. The latter
finding suggests that intestinal microflora play a major
role in intestinal inflammation in cystic fibrosis children.

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