Bacterial lysate in the prevention of acute exacerbation of COPD and in respiratory recurrent infections

(2455) Views  (593) Full article downloads

Authors: F Braido, F Tarantini, V Ghiglione, G Melioli, G W Canonica

Published Date October 2007 Volume 2007:2(3) Pages 335 - 345

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S

F Braido¹, F Tarantini¹, V Ghiglione¹, G Melioli², G W Canonica¹

¹Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, DIMI, University of Genova, Italy ²Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e di Laboratorio, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy

Abstract: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) represent a serious problem because they are one of the most common cause of human death by infection. The search for the treatment of those diseases has therefore a great importance. In this study we provide an overview of the currently available treatments for RTIs with particular attention to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases exacerbations and recurrent respiratory infections therapy and a description of bacterial lysate action, in particular making reference to the medical literature dealing with its clinical efficacy. Those studies are based on a very large number of clinical trials aimed to evaluate the effects of this drug in maintaining the immune system in a state of alert, and in increasing the defences against microbial infections. From this analysis it comes out that bacterial lysates have a protective effect, which induce a significant reduction of the symptoms related to respiratory infections. Those results could be very interesting also from an economic point of view, because they envisage a reduction in the number of acute exacerbations and a shorter duration of hospitalization. The use of bacterial lysate could therefore represent an important means to achieve an extension of life duration in patients affected by respiratory diseases.

Keywords: bacterial lysate, COPD, respiratory recurrent infections