Zinc and/or Probiotic Supplementation of Rotavirus and Oral Polio Virus Vaccines

Background: Strategies are needed to improve oral rotavirus vaccine (RV), which provides suboptimal protection in developing countries. Probiotics and zinc supplementation could improve RV immunogenicity by altering the intestinal microbiota and immune function. This study enrolled infants 5 weeks old living in urban Vellore, India to assess the effects of daily zinc (5 mg), probiotic (1010 Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) or placebo on the immunogenicity of two doses of RV (Rotarix,GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) given at 6 and 10 weeks of age. Probiotics and zinc (or placebo) were provided for six weeks. A single dose of test product was administered daily one week prior to first study dose of rotavirus and polio vaccines through 1 week following second study dose of rotavirus and polio vaccines.