Immunostimulants and prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections

S. Esposito, A. Musio

Article ID: 6026
Vol 27, Issue 3, 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/jbrha6026
Received: 9 October 2013; Accepted: 9 October 2013; Available online: 9 October 2013; Issue release: 9 October 2013

Abstract

Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are very common in children and a major challenge for pediatricians. They affect the childrens quality of life, cause absences from school and lost parental working days, and repeated medical examinations, hospital admissions as well as antibiotic therapies lead to high costs for society. Given their prevalence and clinical importance, various prevention strategies have been developed. One of the most widely used is the administration of immunostimulants: i.e. molecules of bacterial or synthetic origin that interact with immunological mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. A number of studies have investigated their effects on cellular and innate immunity, and their clinical efficacy, but there is no consensus as to their real usefulness. The main aim of this review is to analyse the available data concerning the activity and efficacy of immunostimulants in preventing pediatric RRTIs. The majority of studies have shown that the number of infections decreases after immunostimulant treatment, but they are affected by various methodological weaknesses. Further studies are urgently needed to confirm whether, when and which immunostimulants should be used.


Keywords

Immunostimulants;OM-85 BV;immucytal;pidotimod;prevention;recurrent respiratory tract infections


References

Supporting Agencies



Copyright (c) 2013 S. Esposito, A. Musio




This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).