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Published on: August 30, 2014
Immunostimulants and prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections
1Pediatric Clinic 1, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Immunostimulants may reduce recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in children, but evidence is limited. More rigorous studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and optimal use in pediatric RRTIs prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) significantly impact children's quality of life and incur substantial societal costs.
- Immunostimulants, derived from bacterial or synthetic sources, are widely used to prevent pediatric RRTIs by modulating immune responses.
- Existing research on immunostimulant efficacy presents a lack of consensus due to methodological limitations.
Discussion:
- This review critically analyzes data on immunostimulant activity and efficacy for preventing pediatric RRTIs.
- While many studies suggest a reduction in infection rates post-treatment, methodological weaknesses are prevalent.
- The clinical utility of immunostimulants in pediatric RRTIs remains uncertain.
Key Insights:
- Immunostimulant administration is a common strategy for preventing pediatric RRTIs.
- Evidence suggests a potential decrease in infection frequency with immunostimulant use.
- Significant methodological flaws in current studies hinder definitive conclusions.
Outlook:
- Further high-quality research is essential to validate the benefits of immunostimulants.
- Future studies should focus on determining the optimal type, timing, and duration of immunostimulant therapy.
- Establishing clear guidelines for immunostimulant use in pediatric RRTIs prevention is a priority.
Abstract:
Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are very common in children and a major challenge for pediatricians. They affect the children's 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.
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