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A preventive measure for otitis media in children with upper respiratory tract infections
R Mora1, M Barbieri, G C Passali
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Genoa, Italy. renzomora@libero.it
Insights
Immucytal significantly reduced the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in children. This ribosomal immunotherapy also improved immune function and reduced the need for other medications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are common in children, with otitis media being a prevalent form.
- Traditional antibacterial therapy for URTI has drawbacks, especially for recurrent cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Immucytal, a ribosomal immunotherapy, in preventing and treating recurrent URTI in pediatric patients.
- To assess the impact of Immucytal on infection incidence, duration, and immunological parameters.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized study involving 84 pediatric patients (4-14 years) with a history of recurrent respiratory infections.
- Patients received either Immucytal or a placebo for 6 months, following a specific dosing protocol.
- Outcomes measured included incidence of ENT infections, fever, duration of illness, need for ancillary medications, and immunological markers.
Main Results:
- Immucytal treatment led to a significant decrease in the incidence of ENT infections, fever, and overall illness duration compared to placebo.
- Patients receiving Immucytal required fewer ancillary medications and experienced fewer work-days lost.
- Significant improvements were observed in immunological parameters, including increased serum immunoglobulin concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Ribosomal immunotherapy with Immucytal is a valid and effective preventive strategy for recurrent URTI in children.
- Immucytal demonstrated significant benefits in reducing infection frequency and duration, alongside enhancing immune function.
Abstract:
Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are very common in patients of all ages. Rhinitis, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis and otitis appear to be the prevalent forms of recurrent respiratory infections in the paediatric population. The aim of treatment is so the solution of the respiratory pathology and the also the prevention of their complications. Antibacterial therapy is still the classical treatment approach in patients both with respiratory tract infections and with otitis media, despite the fact that antibacterials have several well known drawbacks, especially when used to treat recurrent infections. Eighty-four paediatric patients of both sexes (range: 4-14 years) with otitis were enrolled in the study. Patients were included if they had a >2 years' history of recurrent or chronic respiratory infections, and/or had experienced at least three episodes requiring medical consultations and/or treatment during the winter prior to the study. The young patients were randomised to receive Immucytal (group A) or placebo (group B) treatment according to the following protocol: (1) starting therapy (1 month): one tablet daily in the morning 4 days per week for 3 consecutive weeks; (2) maintenance period (5 months): one tablet daily in the morning 4 days per week for 1 week every month. Placebo and Immucytal tablets were identical in shape and size, in order to maintain double-blind conditions. Patients of group A with recurrent URTI had a significantly decreased incidence of ENT infections, fever and shorter duration of illness, decreased requirement for ancillary medications and fewer work-days lost. The reduction in the incidence of infectious episodes became significant vs. placebo. A significantly improved outcome vs. placebo was also observed on the incidence of fever, frequency and duration of infectious episodes, ancillary therapies. Immucytal treatment was associated with significant changes in both immunological and auditory function parameters. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins were significantly increased in Immucytal. For both evaluations, a significant difference between treatment groups was found (P>0.001). Preventive strategies, such as ribosomal immunotherapy, may represent a valid alternative approach.