Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Bacterial immunotherapy is highly effective in reducing recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children: a
Laura Rebolledo1,2, Carmen Rodríguez-Vigil3, Luis Carmen4
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, San Jorge Hospital, Avenida de Martínez de Velasco 36, 22004, Huesca, Spain.
Purpose:
Whilst immunotherapy is an appealing option as it could reduce the burden of recurrent pediatric respiratory tract infections (RTI), there is limited evidence on its effectiveness and more research was requested in order to better understand this therapeutic modality.
Methods:
We performed a prospective cohort study involving 57 subjects to assess the safety and effectiveness a 3-month regimen of either typified or patient-specific bacterial lysates could have in reducing the number of RTIs in children aged 0 to 11 years with histories of recurrent episodes.
Results:
After a 6-month follow-up, the number of RTIs and school absenteeism dropped sharply and significantly, from an adjusted mean (standard error) of 0.6 (0.04) episodes/month to 0.1 (0.03) episodes/month (74.7% reduction, P < 0.001), and from an adjusted mean score of 4.6 (1.06) points to 0.0 (0.01) points over 10 (99.5% reduction, P < 0.001), respectively. There was also a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms. No adverse reactions were observed.
Conclusion:
The use of the study product is associated with a decreased risk of recurrent RTIs in children, with a very favorable safety profile that warrants further investigation in randomized clinical trials.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:23Immunological Memory
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...