Effects of the Probiotic Visbiome Extra Strength on Gut Microbiome & Immune Activation Markers

Summary

The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether the probiotic Visbiome Extra Strength reduces inflammation in HIV-infected men and women when compared to a placebo (inactive medication like a dummy pill). The study evaluated whether taking Visbiome Extra Strength by mouth for 24 weeks was safe and well-tolerated for HIV-infected persons on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Probiotics are germs such as yeast or bacteria that are found in food and supplements that are used to improve the health of the digestive system. Many people refer to probiotics as "helpful bacteria." These bacteria live in the body and help the body work normally. In some medical conditions, including HIV infection, helpful bacteria are replaced with bacteria that can change the normal intestinal function and increase inflammation. The investigators tested whether giving a probiotic restored normal intestinal function and decreased inflammation.

Timeline

Start

2016-04

Primary completion

2017-06-05

Completion

2017-08-28

Publications

• Background Chao, Anne. Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 1 January 1984, Vol.11(4), pp.265-270
• Background Lemos LN, Fulthorpe RR, Triplett EW, Roesch LF. Rethinking microbial diversity analysis in the high throughput sequencing era. J Microbiol Methods. 2011 Jul;86(1):42-51. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2011.03.014. Epub 2011 Mar 30.
• Background Magurran A. 2004. Measuring Biological Diversity. Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford, United Kingdom

Drugs

Indications