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Berber A, Del-Río-Navarro BE, Reyes-Noriega N, Sienra-Monge JJL. Immunostimulants for preventing respiratory tract infection in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World Allergy Organ J 2022; 15:100684. [PMID: 36185547 PMCID: PMC9483654 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, so, immunostimulants have been used as a preventative measure. Despite this, there is no updated evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of immunostimulant drugs for this purpose. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of immunostimulants in preventing ARTIs in children based on the most recent scientific evidence. Data sources such as PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched from 1965 to 10 January 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing immunostimulants administered by any method, with placebo to prevent ARTIs on children under 18 years of age without immunodeficiencies, anatomical, genetic, or allergic conditions. In order to analyze data from the studies, we used Review Manager 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020), assessed the certainty of the evidence with Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE), and assessed the quality and risk of bias of the studies using the RoB tool 1.0. Further, outcomes were combined and analyzed using meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis. Throughout the review, we included 72 placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 12,229 children. The meta-analyses, however, included only 38 studies (52.8%) with 4643 children (38% of the total) with data on mean number of ARTIs. These studies demonstrated a reduction in the ARTIs (MD –1.12 [95%CI –1.39 to −0.85]) and ratio of means of ARTIs (0.61 [95%CI 0.54–0.69]), corresponding to a percentage reduction of 39% (95%CI, 46%–31%) with moderate-quality data. Nevertheless, since there was considerable to substantial heterogeneity and bias was unclear in all domains in 32 out of 72 trials, the quality of the evidence for efficacy was deemed low. Only 14 trials reported adverse events. The review indicates that immunostimulants reduce the incidence of ARTIs by 40% on average in susceptible children, despite low-quality evidence, heterogeneity, and the possibility of publication bias. However, further studies are needed to establish immunostimulants' safety and efficacy profiles. This review was conducted without the support of any funding and has no registered number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Berber
- External Collaborator of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico
| | | | - Nayely Reyes-Noriega
- Allergy and Immunology Department of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico
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Feleszko W, Marengo R, Vieira AS, Ratajczak K, Mayorga Butrón JL. Immunity-targeted approaches to the management of chronic and recurrent upper respiratory tract disorders in children. Clin Otolaryngol 2019; 44:502-510. [PMID: 30920131 PMCID: PMC6850198 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), including rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis and otitis media (OM), comprise of 88% of total respiratory infections, especially in children. Therefore effective prevention and treatment of RTIs remain a high priority worldwide. Preclinical and clinical data highlight the rationale for the use and effectiveness of immunity‐targeted approaches, including targeted immunisations and non‐specific immunomodulation in the prevention and management of recurrent upper RTIs. Objective of review The idea of this review was to summarise the current evidence and address key questions concerning the use of conservative and immunity‐targeted approaches to recurrent and chronic URTIs, with a focus on the paediatric population. Search strategy/Evaluation method Literature searches were conducted in March 2017 and updated in September 2017 using: Academic Search Complete; CENTRAL; Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition; MEDLINE; clinicaltrials.gov; and Cochrane databases. In total, 84 articles were retrieved and reviewed. Two independent researchers focused on primary and secondary endpoints in systematic reviews, meta‐analyses and randomised, controlled trials, using immunity‐directed strategies as the control group or within a subpopulation of larger studies. Existing guidelines and interventional/observational studies on novel applications were also included. Results Children are particularly susceptible to RTIs due to the relative immaturity of their immune systems, as well as other potential predisposing factors such as day care attendance and/or toxic environmental factors (eg increased pathogenic microbial exposure and air pollutants). Recurrent URTIs can affect otherwise healthy children, leading to clinical sequelae and complications, including the development of chronic conditions or the need for surgery. Available pre‐clinical and clinical data highlight the rationale for the use and effectiveness of immunity‐targeted approaches, including targeted immunisations (flu and pneumococcal vaccines) and non‐specific immunomodulation (bacterial lysates), in the prevention and management of recurrent croup, tonsillitis, otitis media, recurrent acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Conclusions In this review, we summarise the current evidence and provide data demonstrating that some immunity‐targeted strategies, including vaccination and immunomodulation, have proved effective in the treatment and prevention of recurrent and chronic URTIs in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Feleszko
- Department of Paediatric Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ricardo Marengo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Audiology, CEMIC Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Karol Ratajczak
- Department of Paediatric Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - José Luis Mayorga Butrón
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Institute of Pediatrics, Cuicuilco, Mexico.,Master of Science Program, Postgraduate Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Mexico, Cuicuilco, Mexico
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Esposito S, Soto-Martinez ME, Feleszko W, Jones MH, Shen KL, Schaad UB. Nonspecific immunomodulators for recurrent respiratory tract infections, wheezing and asthma in children: a systematic review of mechanistic and clinical evidence. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 18:198-209. [PMID: 29561355 PMCID: PMC6037280 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an overview of the mechanistic and clinical evidence for the use of nonspecific immunomodulators in paediatric respiratory tract infection (RTI) and wheezing/asthma prophylaxis. RECENT FINDINGS Nonspecific immunomodulators have a long history of empirical use for the prevention of RTIs in vulnerable populations, such as children. The past decade has seen an increase in both the number and quality of studies providing mechanistic and clinical evidence for the prophylactic potential of nonspecific immunomodulators against both respiratory infections and wheezing/asthma in the paediatric population. Orally administered immunomodulators result in the mounting of innate and adaptive immune responses to infection in the respiratory mucosa and anti-inflammatory effects in proinflammatory environments. Clinical data reflect these mechanistic effects in reductions in the recurrence of respiratory infections and wheezing events in high-risk paediatric populations. A new generation of clinical studies is currently underway with the power to position the nonspecific bacterial lysate immunomodulator OM-85 as a potential antiasthma prophylactic. SUMMARY An established mechanistic and clinical role for prophylaxis against paediatric respiratory infections by nonspecific immunomodulators exists. Clinical trials underway promise to provide high-quality data to establish whether a similar role exists in wheezing/asthma prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuel E. Soto-Martinez
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Nacional de Niños, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Wojciech Feleszko
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, The Medical University Children's Hospital, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Marcus H. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kun-Ling Shen
- Department of Respiratory Care, Beijing Children's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Urs B. Schaad
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Contopoulos-Ioannidis DG, Seto I, Hamm MP, Thomson D, Hartling L, Ioannidis JPA, Curtis S, Constantin E, Batmanabane G, Klassen T, Williams K. Empirical evaluation of age groups and age-subgroup analyses in pediatric randomized trials and pediatric meta-analyses. Pediatrics 2012; 129 Suppl 3:S161-84. [PMID: 22661763 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-0055j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An important step toward improvement of the conduct of pediatric clinical research is the standardization of the ages of children to be included in pediatric trials and the optimal age-subgroups to be analyzed. METHODS We set out to evaluate empirically the age ranges of children, and age-subgroup analyses thereof, reported in recent pediatric randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. First, we screened 24 RCTs published in Pediatrics during the first 6 months of 2011; second, we screened 188 pediatric RCTs published in 2007 in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; third, we screened 48 pediatric meta-analyses published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2011. We extracted information on age ranges and age-subgroups considered and age-subgroup differences reported. RESULTS The age range of children in RCTs published in Pediatrics varied from 0.1 to 17.5 years (median age: 5; interquartile range: 1.8-10.2) and only 25% of those presented age-subgroup analyses. Large variability was also detected for age ranges in 188 RCTs from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and only 28 of those analyzed age-subgroups. Moreover, only 11 of 48 meta-analyses had age-subgroup analyses, and in 6 of those, only different studies were included. Furthermore, most of these observed differences were not beyond chance. CONCLUSIONS We observed large variability in the age ranges and age-subgroups of children included in recent pediatric trials and meta-analyses. Despite the limited available data, some age-subgroup differences were noted. The rationale for the selection of particular age-subgroups deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina G Contopoulos-Ioannidis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
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Del-Rio-Navarro BE, Espinosa-Rosales FJ, Flenady V, Sienra-Monge JJL. Cochrane Review: Immunostimulants for preventing respiratory tract infection in children. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ebch.1833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Herberhold S, Coch C, Zillinger T, Hommertgen B, Busch N, Schuberth C, Hartmann E, Wimmenauer V, Hagmann CA, Lüdenbach B, Schlee M, Bootz F, Hartmann G, Barchet W. Delivery with polycations extends the immunostimulant Ribomunyl® into a potent antiviral Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist. Antivir Ther 2011; 16:751-8. [DOI: 10.3851/imp1822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ribosomal therapy in the treatment of recurrent acute adenoiditis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 267:1313-8. [PMID: 20052587 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-009-1193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 12/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an oral ribosomal immunotherapy in the management of children with recurrent acute adenoiditis (RAA). 60 children with RAA were included and randomly assigned into two groups (group A and B). Group A children underwent ribosomal prophylaxis, while group B received a placebo. Before, at the end and 6 months after start of the therapy, children underwent medical history, ENT examination, plasma levels of immunoglobulins class E, A, G, M (IgE, IgA, IgG, IgM), tympanometry, active anterior rhinomanometry and VAS scores by children' parents. After the treatment and at the end of the study, in the group A, the serum concentration of IgE was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in group B (77.34 +/- 6.23 vs. 95.49 +/- 7.07 mg/dl; 74.82 +/- 6.26 vs. 94.44 +/- 7.44 mg/dl), IgA titers were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in group B (312.04 +/- 18.41 vs. 213.20 +/- 11.82; 309.07 +/- 18.33 vs. 211.73 +/- 11.54 mg/dl) as well as serum concentration of IgG (1401.12 +/- 118.81 vs. 1101.81 +/- 109.64 mg/dl; 1412.19 +/- 116.43 vs. 1144.06 +/- 103.58 mg/dl). At the end of the study, comparison between the two groups showed, in group A: 77% of children (n = 23), versus 23% (n = 7) of group B, with a type A tympanogram; significant (P < 0.05) nasal flow decrease at the rhinomanometric measures; VAS scores were significantly (P < 0.05) improved (1.8 +/- 0.22 vs. 5.1 +/- 0.59) and frequency, severity and social impact of RAA episodes were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than group B. Our results show the therapeutic effectiveness of this approach in the prophylaxis of recurrent acute adenoiditis.
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Salami A, Dellepiane M, Crippa B, Mora F, Guastini L, Jankowska B, Mora R. Sulphurous water inhalations in the prophylaxis of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2008; 72:1717-22. [PMID: 18817987 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2008.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Revised: 08/18/2008] [Accepted: 08/20/2008] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the effect of sulphurous thermal water inhalations in the treatment of the recurrent upper respiratory tract (RURT) infections in children. METHODS A total of 100 children with RURT infections were included. All children underwent a 12-day course warm vapour inhalations. For the inhalations, we used sulphurous thermal water in the group A, while physiological solution in the group B. At the beginning, at the end and 3 months after start, all children underwent medical history, ENT examination, plasma levels of immunoglobulins class E, G, A, M (IgE, IgG, IgA, IgM), subjective assessment of symptoms (VAS), nasal mucociliar transport time (NMTT) determination, and evaluation of frequency, duration, severity and social impact of RURT episodes. RESULTS Compared with group B, after the treatment and at the end of the study, in children treated with sulphurous thermal water, the serum concentration of IgE was significantly (p<0.05) lower (75.13+/-27.1mg/dl vs 96.87+/-41.3mg/dl; 74.23+/-26.2mg/dl vs 98.24+/-42.7 mg/dl), IgA titers were higher (238.14+/-122.1mg/dl vs 218.62+/-115.8 mg/dl; 239.72+/-119.7 mg/dl vs 210.46+/-107.3mg/dl), serum concentrations of IgG and IgM unchanged, VAS scores presented a significant (p<0.05) improvement (1.8+/-0.19 vs 6.8+/-0.54; 1.9+/-0.21 vs 6.9+/-0.61), NMTT was normal (11.15+/-1.59 min vs 17.63+/-2.17; 11.25+/-2.10 min vs 17.77+/-2.19 min) and frequency, duration, severity and social impact of RURT episodes were significantly (p<0.05) lower. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that, in addition to their known effects, the sulphurous water also have an immunomodulant activity that contributes to their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Salami
- ENT Department, University of Genoa, Via dei Mille 11/9, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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Del-Rio-Navarro BE, Espinosa Rosales F, Flenady V, Sienra-Monge JJL. Immunostimulants for preventing respiratory tract infection in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006:CD004974. [PMID: 17054227 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004974.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Immunostimulants (IS) may reduce the incidence of ARTIs. OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy and safety of IS in preventing ARTIs in children. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2005); MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2006); and EMBASE (January 1990 to January 2006); PASCAL (up to January 2006); SciSearch (up to January 2006); and IPA (up to January 2006) for reports of trials. Investigators in the field were also contacted. Ongoing studies were searched in the trial registration web site, metaRegister of Controlled Trials. SELECTION CRITERIA All comparative trials which enrolled patients less than 18 years of age were included. The intervention of interest was the use of an IS medication administered by any method for preventing ARTIs. Clinical trials using random or quasi-random allocation and comparing IS medication or medications to placebo were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The outcome on ARTIs was analyzed both as the mean number of ARTIs by group and as a percent change in the rate of ARTIs. Meta-analysis was undertaken using a random-effects model and results were presented as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The trials search, quality assessment and data extraction were undertaken independently by two authors. A funnel plot suggested there may be publication bias in the trials identified. MAIN RESULTS Thirty-four placebo controlled trials (3877 participants) provided data in a form suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis. When compared with placebo, the use of IS was shown to reduce ARTIs measured as the total numbers of ARTIs (WMD -1.27; 95% CI -1.58 to -0.97) and the difference in ARTIs rates (WMD -39.68%; 95% CI -47.27% to -32.09%). The trial quality was generally poor and a high level of statistical heterogeneity was evident. The subgroup analysis of bacterial IS studies produced similar results, with lower heterogeneity. No difference in adverse events was evident between the placebo and IS groups AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This review showed that IS reduces the incidence of ARTIs in children, by 40% on average. However, due to significant heterogeneity and the poor quality of the trials this positive result should be interpreted with caution. The safety profile of IS appears to be good. Further high-quality trials are needed and we encourage national health authorities to conduct large, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on the role of IS in the prevention of ARTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Del-Rio-Navarro
- Hosptial Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Allergy, Dr. Marquez 162, Colonia de los Doctores, Mexico City, DF, Mexico.
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