Possibilities and prospects of using immunomodulatory therapy in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) can be called a global burden of modern pediatrics. The most frequent incidence of ARI, mainly of viral etiology, is experienced by children of the first 6 years of life: infants, as well as children of early and preschool age. This is explained primarily by the physiological characteristics of their immune system. In this regard, the issue of rational selection of an immunotropic drug with proven efficacy and safety, capable of both increasing resistance to infectious agents and increasing the effectiveness of the complex therapy of ARI, especially in the most vulnerable categories of patients from the point of view of the immune response, is becoming relevant. Among the numerous immunomodulatory drugs, a group of bacterial lysates stands out, attracting the attention of practicing physicians and researchers in the context of non-specific immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy of ARIs. The use of drugs in this spectrum promotes the activation of innate and adaptive links of immunity, faster relief of symptoms of respiratory infection, and also reduces the risk of complications and, accordingly, reduces the need for antibacterial therapy. A special feature of the pharmacological action of this group of drugs is the induction of an adaptive immune response not only against pathogens whose antigens are part of bacterial lysates, but also an increase in resistance to many other bacterial and viral infectious agents. Among bacterial lysates, OM-85 is the leader in terms of evidence – the most studied modulator of anti-infective protection of the respiratory tract. Its effectiveness and safety have been demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials. Its effectiveness and safety have been demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials. The article presents data confirming the advantages of OM-85 over other immunotropic drugs.