The effect of maternal probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of systemic allergic inflammation in 2-year-old children

The probiotic group had lower CCL11 and IL-17C, while children with AD had higher IL-17C, MCP-4, uPA, and CD6. Cytokine CCL20 and IL-18 had moderate correlation (r = 0.35) with the severity of AD. After accounting for multiple comparison however, no biomarkers were conclusively associated with maternal probiotic supplementation, or the presence and severity of AD. Cluster analysis suggested that those with the highest value of immune check receptors and inflammatory suppressor enzymes was associated with the greatest preventive effect. No conclusive evidence that maternal probiotics influenced individual or the overall inflammatory biomarkers' profile at two years of age, nor that these proteins are associated with the presence or severity of AD. Nevertheless, the proteins associated with presence and severity of AD prior to adjusting for multiple comparisons warrant attention because of their potential biological relevance. Cluster analysis may provide a more nuanced approach in analysing subtype of probiotic responders.