Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
Published on: April 28, 2014
Oral bacteriotherapy in children with recurrent respiratory infections: a real-life study
Vincenzo Tarantino1, Valentina Savaia1, Roberto D'Agostino1
1Dipartimento Testa-Collo e Neuroscienze - IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it.
Insights
Oral bacteritherapy using specific strains of beneficial bacteria significantly reduced recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) and school absences in children. This innovative approach offers a safe and effective strategy for preventing childhood RRI.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) in children pose significant socioeconomic and familial burdens.
- Bacteriotherapy, utilizing beneficial bacteria, emerges as a promising strategy for infection prevention.
- A real-world clinical setting is crucial for evaluating the efficacy of novel therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of oral bacteritherapy in preventing RRI in children within a real-life outpatient setting.
- To assess the impact of bacteritherapy on the number of respiratory infections and associated school absences.
- To evaluate the safety and tolerability of the oral bacteritherapy intervention.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study involving 51 children diagnosed with RRI.
- Treatment involved an oral spray containing Streptococcus salivarius 24SMB and Streptococcus oralis 89a (125 x 10^9 CFU/g).
- Children received 2 puffs once daily for 30 days, with the course repeated for 3 months, comparing outcomes to the previous year.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant reduction in the mean number of RRI was observed, decreasing from 5.17 to 2.25 (p<0.0001).
- Mean school absences also significantly decreased from 3.35 to 1.86 (p<0.0001).
- The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated in the pediatric population.
Conclusions:
- Oral bacteritherapy with Streptococcus salivarius 24SMB and Streptococcus oralis 89a demonstrates significant efficacy in preventing RRI in children.
- The intervention led to a notable decrease in respiratory infections and school absenteeism.
- This study supports the use of targeted bacteritherapy as a safe and effective preventative measure for pediatric RRI.
Abstract:
Children with recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) represent a social issue for the economic burden and the familiar negative impact. Bacteriotherapy, such as the administration of "good" bacteria, is a new therapeutic strategy that could be potentially effective in preventing infections. The current study tested the hypothesis of preventing RRI by oral Bacteriotherapy in a real-life setting. This open study was conducted in an outpatient clinic, enrolling 51 children (27 males, mean age 4.8 ± 2.6 years) suffering from RRI. Children were treated with an oral spray, containing Streptococcus salivarius 24SMB and Streptococcus oralis89a (125 x 109 CFU/g), 2 puffs per os once/day for 30 consecutive days; this course was repeated for 3 months. The evaluated parameters were: RI number and school absences reported in the current year; these outcomes were compared with those recorded in the past year. The mean number of RI significantly diminished: from 5.17 (2.30) in the past year to 2.25 (2.43) after the treatment (p<0.0001). The mean number of school absences significantly diminished (from 3.35 to 1.86; p<0.0001). In conclusion, this real-life study suggests that oral Bacteriotherapy with Streptococcus salivarius 24SMB and Streptococcus oralis89a could efficaciously and safely prevent RRI in children.
