Oral bacteriotherapy in children with recurrent respiratory infections: a real-life study

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 10(9) 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. (www.actabiomedica.it)