Abstract
Introduction: Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) present very frequent problem in pulmonologist praxis. Several natural preparations have been used for their prevention, but only few of them have scientific evidence for a real clinical efficacy.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the preventive effect of Imunoglukan P4H®, syrup containing imunoglukan – beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus, on the frequency of RRTI in children.
Methods: In double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 175 children (5.65±2.39 years) with ≥5 respiratory infections in previous 12 months were studied. Children were treated for 6 months with Imunoglukan P4H® or with artificial syrup with vitamin C (placebo group). During three visits questionnaires were fulfilled and immune parameters in blood were evaluated.
Results: In active group, 36% of the children did not suffer from any respiratory infection during the treatment compared to 21% in placebo group (p<0.05). Imunoglukan P4H® significantly decreased the frequency of flu and flu-like diseases and also lower respiratory tract infections. 65% of physicians evaluated the effect of Imunoglukan P4H® as excellent (significant decreased morbidity) compared to 39% for placebo (p<0.05). We observed a significant modulation effect of Imunoglukan P4H® on humoral and cellular immunity.
Conclusions: Our study provided relevant evidence for preventing effect of Imunoglukan P4H® on the incidence of respiratory infections and revealed its complex immunomodulating activity. This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study in children with RRTI aimed on the preventive effect of beta-glucans on respiratory morbidity.
- © 2012 ERS