Paediatric Recurrent Ear, Nose and Throat Infections and Complications: Can We Do More?

Effect of pediatric Tuina on children's recurrent acute respiratory tract infections: a retrospective cohort study in Southern China

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of pediatric Tuina (PT) in preventing recurrent acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in children.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study based on the electronic medical records of children with recurrent ARTIs in 2016. Children were divided into a PT group or a non-PT group, according to whether they had received PT or not in 2016. The primary outcome was the number of ARTI episodes in 2017 and 2018. The secondary outcomes were the number of ARTIs leading to outpatient department visits and outpatient antibiotic prescriptions due to ARTIs in the same time period. Negative binomial regressions were used to detect the association between PT and the outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 2303 children were included in the analysis, including 94 in the PT group and 2209 in the non-PT group. Children who received PT six or more times in 2016 had fewer episodes of ARTIs in 2017 [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.42-0.84)] and 2018 [IRR: 0.58, 95% CI (0.36-0.94)] and fewer outpatient department visits due to ARTIs in 2017 [IRR: 0.56, 95% CI (0.38-0.83)] than children who had not received PT in 2016. There was no significant difference in the number of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Receiving PT six or more times within one year is associated with a decrease in recurrent ARTIs in children in the following two years. Randomized controlled trials are needed for effect evaluation prior to establishing PT as a method for preventing recurrent ARTIs among children.

Bacterial immunotherapy is highly effective in reducing recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children: a prospective observational study

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.

The dysfunction of Tfh cells promotes pediatric recurrent respiratory tract infections development by interfering humoral immune responses

Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are one of the most common pediatric diseases. Although the pathogenesis of pediatric RRTIs remains unknown, ineffective B cell-dominated humoral immunity has been considered as the core mechanism. During the course of pediatric RRTIs, B cell-dominated humoral immunity has changed from "protector" of respiratory system to "bystander" of respiratory tract infections. Under physiological condition, Tfh cells are essential for B cell-dominated humoral immunity, including regulating GC formation, promoting memory B cell (MB)/plasma cell (PC) differentiation, inducting immunoglobulin (Ig) class switching, and selecting affinity-matured antibodies. However, in disease states, Tfh cells are dysfunctional, which can be reflected by phenotypes and cytokine production. Tfh cell dysfunctions can cause the disorders of B cell-dominated humoral immunity, such as promoting B cell presented apoptosis, abrogating total Ig production, reducing MB/PC populations, and delaying affinity maturation of antigens-specific antibodies. In this review, we focused on the functions of B and Tfh cells in the homeostasis of respiratory system, and specifically discussed the disorders of humoral immunity and aberrant Tfh cell responses in the disease process of pediatric RRTIs. We hoped to provide some clues for the prevention and treatment of pediatric RRTIs.

Combining different bacteria in vaccine formulations enhances the chance for antiviral cross-reactive immunity: a detailed in silico analysis for influenza A virus

Bacteria are well known to provide heterologous immunity against viral infections through various mechanisms including the induction of innate trained immunity and adaptive cross-reactive immunity. Cross-reactive immunity from bacteria to viruses is responsible for long-term protection and yet its role has been downplayed due the difficulty of determining antigen-specific responses. Here, we carried out a systematic evaluation of the potential cross-reactive immunity from selected bacteria known to induce heterologous immunity against various viruses causing recurrent respiratory infections. The bacteria selected in this work were Bacillus Calmette Guerin and those included in the poly-bacterial preparation MV130: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebisella pneumoniae, Branhamella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae. The virus included influenza A and B viruses, human rhinovirus A, B and C, respiratory syncytial virus A and B and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Through BLAST searches, we first identified the shared peptidome space (identity ≥ 80%, in at least 8 residues) between bacteria and viruses, and subsequently predicted T and B cell epitopes within shared peptides. Interestingly, the potential epitope spaces shared between bacteria in MV130 and viruses are non-overlapping. Hence, combining diverse bacteria can enhance cross-reactive immunity. We next analyzed in detail the cross-reactive T and B cell epitopes between MV130 and influenza A virus. We found that MV130 contains numerous cross-reactive T cell epitopes with high population protection coverage and potentially neutralizing B cell epitopes recognizing hemagglutinin and matrix protein 2. These results contribute to explain the immune enhancing properties of MV130 observed in the clinic against respiratory viral infections.

Expert consensus on the role of OM-85 in the management of recurrent respiratory infections: A Delphi study

Recurrent infections of upper and lower respiratory tract have an important clinical and economic impact, which can be reduced through appropriate preventive measures, including the use of immunomodulating agents, such as OM-85, which proved to be effective and safe in both adults and children. Although OM-85 can be useful for the prevention of respiratory tract infections, it is still underused in clinical practice. In order to evaluate the level of awareness of the disease burden of recurrent respiratory infections in adults and children and to assess the level of agreement on the prophylactic and therapeutic approach to the disease, including the use of immunomodulants, a Delphi study was performed. A board of six experts in the field of respiratory infections was appointed to elaborate a series of statements covering four main topics (disease, prevention, OM-85, and future strategies), which were thereafter voted by a panel of 30 experts. Results showed that prevention is unanimously recognized as the most important intervention to reduce disease burden, and the use of immunomodulation to improve the effectiveness of vaccination is gaining increasing favor among clinicians. In this respect, OM-85 is recognized as the most studied immunomodulating agent currently available, whose efficacy and safety make it a valuable tool to optimize the management of recurrent respiratory infections in both adults and children. In particular, the combined use of OM-85 and influenza vaccine was recognized as an effective and safe approach to improve the current prevention strategies in order to reduce the burden of recurrent respiratory infections.

Outdoor particulate matter exposure and upper respiratory tract infections in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

While the relationship between outdoor particulate matter (PM) and lower respiratory tract infections in children and adolescents is accepted, we know little about the impacts of outdoor PM on the risk of developing or aggravating upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).

METHODS

We aimed to review the literature examining the relationship between outdoor PM exposure and URTIs in children and adolescents. A systematic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science databases was undertaken on April 3, 2020 and October 27, 2021. Comparable short-term studies of time-series or case-crossover designs were pooled in meta-analyses using random-effects models, while the remainder of studies were combined in a narrative analysis. Quality, risk of bias and level of evidence for health effects were appraised using a combination of emerging frameworks in environmental health.

RESULTS

Out of 1366 articles identified, 34 were included in the systematic review and 16 of these were included in meta-analyses. Both PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ levels were associated with hospital presentations for URTIs (PM_2.5: RR = 1.010, 95%CI = 1.007-1.014; PM₁₀: RR = 1.016, 95%CI = 1.011-1.021) in the meta-analyses. Narrative analysis found unequivocally that total suspended particulates were associated with URTIs, but mixed results were found for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in both younger and older children.

CONCLUSION

This study found some evidence of associations between PM and URTIs in children and adolescents, the relationship strength increased with PM₁₀. However, the number of studies was limited and heterogeneity was considerable, thus there is a need for further studies, especially studies assessing long-term exposure and comparing sources.

Inborn Errors of Immunity among Egyptian Children with Recurrent Acute Otitis Media

Objective Our objective was to investigate the relative frequency and pattern of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) among Egyptian children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM).

Methods This was a cross-sectional study that included children from the age of 6 months to 16 years with rAOM. Those with structural, functional, and environmental risk factors were excluded. Enrolled children underwent thorough clinical, otorhinolaryngological, and immunological evaluation, including hematological counting, quantitative immunoglobulins assay, lymphocytic flow cytometric immunophenotyping, CH50, and phagocytic function tests.

Results The study included 69 children with rAOM (44 boys and 25 girls; median age 30 months). IEIs were identified in 14 children, including transient hypogammaglobulinemia (three cases), selective IgA deficiency (three cases), agammaglobulinemia (two cases), common variable immunodeficiency (two cases), and one case for each of congenital neutropenia, Chediak–Higashi syndrome, hyper IgM syndrome, and Griscelli syndrome. Parental consanguinity and history of unexplained/infection-related siblings' deaths were significantly associated with IEIs (p = 0.018 and 0.003, respectively). AOM and related complications were more frequent among IEI cases (p = 0.018 and 0.032, respectively). IEI cases had lower levels of hemoglobin (10.7 ± 2.80 vs. 12.3 ± 1.64 g/dL; p = 0.002), IgG (203 [78–1,370] vs. 708 [42.3–1,509] mg/dL; p = 0.000), and IgA (24.3 [3–310] vs. 80 [15.6–305] mg/dL; p = 0.009) compared with non-IEI cases.

Conclusion The current study identified IEIs in one-fifth of children with rAOM, most of which were predominately antibody deficiencies. An immunological workup for rAOM is particularly important in the presence of certain indicators for IEIs, provided that other more common risk factors are excluded.

Beta-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus in the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections: An international, multicentre, open-label, prospective study

Preschool children are particularly susceptible to recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections due to their immune immaturity and other contributing factors. Preventing and/or treating children suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) is challenging, and it is important to provide more clinical evidence about the safety and efficacy of natural immunomodulating preparations, including β-glucans. The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children with a history of RRTIs for a period of 6 months (3 months of pleuran supplementation and 3 months of follow-up) compared with the same period from October to March of the previous year prior to enrolment in the study. A total of 1,030 children with a mean age of 3.49 ± 1.91 years from seven countries were included in this study. The total number of RTIs observed during the study period was significantly lower compared to the same period of the previous year (7.07 ± 2.89 vs. 3.87 ± 3.19; p < 0.001). Analysis of each type of RTI revealed significant reductions in the mean number and duration of infections for all RTI subtypes compared to the previous year. This study also confirmed the beneficial safety profile of pleuran supplementation. In conclusion, pleuran supplementation represents an interesting and prospective supplement in preventing respiratory infections and reveals new strategies for supporting immune functions in the paediatric population.

Risk factors for recurrent respiratory tract infection in preschool-aged children

BACKGROUND

We aimed to identify potential risk factors for recurrent respiratory tract infection among Chinese preschool-aged children, and further to construct a nomogram prediction model.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Beijing. Utilizing a stratified cluster random sampling strategy, a total of 7222 children from 20 kindergartens were enrolled. Data are analyzed by STATA software and R language.

RESULTS

Five independent factors were identified to be significantly associated with recurrent respiratory tract infection risk overall and by pathogenic sites. The significant odds of recurrent respiratory tract infection was 8.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.69-12.12, P < 0.001), 2.31 (2.06-2.58, P < 0.001), 1.72 (1.48-1.99, P < 0.001), 1.24 (1.08-1.43, P = 0.002), and 1.19 (1.09-1.31, P < 0.001) for asthma, allergy, initial use of antibiotics <6 months, breastfeeding duration <6 months, and maternal body mass index, respectively. Besides the leading role played by asthma, allergy, initial use of antibiotics, and breastfeeding might exert a graded, dose-dependent effect on recurrent respiratory tract infection susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified five potential risk factors for the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infection from 7222 preschool-aged Chinese children. Notably, asthma plays a leading role, and allergy, initial use of antibiotics, and breastfeeding might exert a graded, dose-dependent effect on recurrent respiratory tract infection susceptibility.

IMPACT

This is the first report of examining the joint contribution of multiple potential risk factors to recurrent respiratory tract infection among Chinese preschool-aged children. We have identified five potential risk factors for the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infection via analyzing survey data from 7222 preschool-aged Chinese children. Asthma plays a leading role, and allergy, initial use of antibiotics, and breastfeeding might exert a graded, dose-dependent effect on recurrent respiratory tract infection susceptibility.

Involvement of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Oral Mucosal Bacterial Immunotherapy

Recent clinical observations indicate that bacterial vaccines induce cross-protection against infections produced by different microorganisms. MV130, a polyvalent bacterial sublingual preparation designed to prevent recurrent respiratory infectious diseases, reduces the infection rate in patients with recurrent respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are key cell components that contribute to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and exert both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive functions. Herein, we study the effects of MV130 in human MSC functionality as a potential mechanism that contributes to its clinical benefits. We provide evidence that during MV130 sublingual immunization of mice, resident oral mucosa MSCs can take up MV130 components and their numbers remain unchanged after vaccination, in contrast to granulocytes that are recruited from extramucosal tissues. MSCs treated in vitro with MV130 show an increased viability without affecting their differentiation potential. In the short-term, MSC treatment with MV130 induces higher leukocyte recruitment and T cell expansion. In contrast, once T-cell activation is initiated, MV130 stimulation induces an up-regulated expression of immunosuppressor factors in MSCs. Accordingly, MV130-primed MSCs reduce T lymphocyte proliferation, induce the differentiation of dendritic cells with immunosuppressive features and favor M2-like macrophage polarization, thus counterbalancing the immune response. In addition, MSCs trained with MV130 undergo functional changes, enhancing their immunomodulatory response to a secondary stimulus. Finally, we show that MSCs are able to uptake, process and retain a reservoir of the TLR ligands derived from MV130 digestion which can be subsequently transferred to dendritic cells, an additional feature that also may be associated to trained immunity.

Prevention of New Respiratory Episodes in Children with Recurrent Respiratory Infections: An Expert Consensus Statement

In healthy infants and young children, the development of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) is extremely common. In this paper, we present an international consensus of the available approaches for the prevention of recurrent RTIs in children, including the atopic/allergic ones as well as those with asthma. Few convincing measures for reducing the frequency and clinical relevance of recurrent respiratory episodes in RTI-prone children have been developed until now. Among the most recently suggested measures, immunotherapy is attractive, but only for OM-85 is there a sufficient number of well-conducted clinical trials confirming efficacy in RTIs prevention with an adequate safety profile. In the case of probiotics, it is not clear which bacteria can offer the best results and which dosage and schedule of administration are the most effective. The problems of dosage and the schedule of administration are not solved also for vitamin D, despite some promising efficacy results. While we wait for new knowledge, the elimination or reduction as much as possible of the environmental factors that favor RTIs, vaccination when available and/or indicated, and the systematic application of the traditional methods for infection prevention, such as hand washing, remain the best measures to prevent recurrent infections in RTI-prone children.

Effectiveness of TCM cauterization in recurrent tonsillitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent tonsillitis (RT) is often treated with antibiotic therapy and surgery. Although these treatments have advantages, they are also controversial. The purpose of this study is to analyze the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) cauterization in the treatment of RT, so as to provide an alternative for the clinicians and to cover the shortage of therapeutic methods.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. We will formulate strict inclusion and exclusion criteria in English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science), Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang databases, CBM, and VIP), and search literatures in different clinical registration platforms (Cochrane Library, Chinese Cochrane Centre's Clinical Trial Registry Platform). The included articles will be evaluated using Cochrane RCT evaluation criteria. Stata 15.0 will be used for data analysis. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression will detect sources of heterogeneity. Egger's Test or Begg's Test will detect publication bias quantitatively.

CONCLUSION

Cauterization can effectively control the recurrence of tonsillitis through clinical trials, but evidence-based medicine needs to be adopted to provide strong evidence for its effectiveness. The purpose of our research is to provide the evidence.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/PZ69Q.