The study was designed as a placebo-controlled and cross-over study. After a 3-week run-in period the 30 participants (15 healthy subjects and 15 patients with AD) were randomized to receive either 200 ml/d of a probiotic drink containing L. paracasei Lpc-37, L. acidophilus 74-2 and B. lactis 420 or 200 ml/d of a placebo drink for 8 weeks. After a 2-week washout period the intervention was crossed between the groups and the respective products were consumed for another 8 weeks followed by a 2-week washout period. Venous blood and fresh stool samples were collected before the beginning and at the end of each period. In AD patients the Scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) was assessed by the same physician every 4 weeks and 2 weeks after the wash-out period, respectively.