OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect of probiotics and oral immunoglobulin on pediatric rotavirus enteritis.

METHODSA randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 150 children with rotavirus enteritis who were randomly divided into control, probiotic and immunoglobulin groups (n=50 each). In addition to basic treatment, the control group was given placebo, the probiotic group was given live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus tablets, and the immunoglobulin group was orally given anti-rotavirus egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY). Clinical symptoms such as stool frequency and stool properties were recorded every day. Fresh stool samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 of treatment. Intestinal flora imbalance was detected and divided into three degrees by microscopic examination of stool. Fecal SIgA level and fecal rotavirus shedding were measured by radioimmunoassay and double-antibody sandwich ELISA respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the probiotic group had reduced intestinal flora imbalance, decreased stool frequency, and reduced incidence of secondary intestinal bacterial infection after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in disease course between the probiotic and control groups. Compared with the control group, the immunoglobulin group had a significantly increased fecal SIgA level after 1 day of treatment (P<0.05), significantly decreased frequency of diarrhea and fecal rotavirus shedding after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05), and a significantly shorter disease course (4.5±1.0 vs 5.8±1.7 days; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor children with rotavirus enteritis, probiotics can reduce intestinal flora imbalance and prevent secondary intestinal bacterial infection, but probiotics take a long time to relieve clinical symptoms and cannot shorten the course of disease. Oral immunoglobulin takes effect quickly and can rapidly eliminate rotavirus, promote the production of SIgA, and shorten the course of disease.