Original Research: A Patented Strain of Bacillus coagulans Increased Immune Response to Viral Challenge

Background: Viral respiratory tract infection is the most common illness among humans. Probiotics have been known to enhance the immune system and, therefore, may represent a significant therapeutic advancement for treating viral respiratory tract infections. Objective: A controlled study was conducted 10 evaluate the effects of the patented GanedenBC(30) probiotic (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30. 6086. marketed as Sustenex (R) [Ganeden Biotech, Inc., Mayfield Heights. OH]) on the immune system when exposed to adenovirus and influenza in otherwise healthy adults. Methods: Ten healthy men and women (average age, 44 years) were instructed to consume 1 capsule of GanedenBC(30) with water once a day for 30 days. At baseline and after completion of the 30-day treatment, blood levels of cytokines were measured in vitro after T-cell exposure to adenovirus and influenza A. Each participant served as his/her own control with baseline blood draw. Results: The use of GanedenBC(30) significantly increased T-cell production of TNF-alpha in response to adenovirus exposure (P = 0.027) and influenza A (H3N2 Texas strain) exposure (P=0.004), but it did not have a significant effect on the response to other strains of influenza. No serious adverse events were reported throughout the study Conclusions: The patented GanedenBC(30) probiotic may be a safe and effective therapeutic option for enhancing T-cell response to Certain Viral respiratory tract infections.