VIABLE VERSUS INACTIVATED LACTOBACILLUS STRAIN GG IN ACUTE ROTAVIRUS DIARRHEA

The effect of viable or heat inactivated human Lactobacillus casei str ain GG on rotavirus immune responses in patients with rotavirus diarrh oea was assessed. Rotavirus serum IgA enzyme immunoassay antibody resp onses were higher in infants treated with viable L casei strain GG tha n in those treated with inactivated L casei strain GG. There was a sig nificant difference at convalescence with rotavirus specific IgA secre ting cells found in 10/12 infants receiving viable but only 2/13 infan ts receiving inactivated L casei strain GG. The results indicate that viable L casei strain GG stimulate rotavirus specific IgA antibody res ponses, theoretically significant in the prevention of reinfections.