Abstract |
Recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) consist of more relapsing acute respiratory infections than the ones expected for the age [> 6 acute respiratory tract infections (RTI) per year if age is > 3 years, and > 8 acute RTI per year if age is < 3 years]. Concerning the pathogenesis of RRI, several investigations report the important role of environmental factors, early socialization and immunological dysfunctions, such as lymphocyte subpopulations alterations, IgG subclass deficiency and phagocytosis and/or opsonization deficit during acute infections. In this framework, we have studied the lymphocyte-dependent antibacterial activity (ABA) among 121 children affected by RRI. Results show a statistically significant alteration of this function in 38 children (31.4%): 19 of them exhibited an absent ABA (group 1), while in the others same function was reduced (group 2). A bovine thymic extract, thymostimulin, was administered to both groups by intramuscular injections (1 mg/kg) for a 3 month cycle. At the end of therapy we observed a statistical significant rise of ABA only in group 1 and among children aged > 3 years. Among the same patients, 33 children (86.8%) improved in terms of reduction of clinical score and better results were seen among children aged > 3 years. These data emphasize the beneficial role of thymostimulin in RRI-affected children, suggesting a transient immaturity of the immune system as one of the possible pathogenetic factor.
|
Authors | D De Mattia, P Decandia, P Ferrante, D Pace, B Martire, M Ciccarelli, L Caradonna, M R Ribaud, E Jirillo, F Schettini |
Journal | Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology
(Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol)
Vol. 15
Issue 4
Pg. 447-59
(Aug 1993)
ISSN: 0892-3973 [Print] England |
PMID | 8227971
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
- Thymus Extracts
- thymostimulin
|
Topics |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
(therapeutic use)
- Adolescent
- Animals
- B-Lymphocytes
(drug effects, immunology)
- Blood Bactericidal Activity
(drug effects)
- Cattle
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Lymphocytes
(drug effects, immunology)
- Male
- Recurrence
- Respiratory Tract Infections
(immunology, therapy)
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets
(drug effects, immunology)
- Thymus Extracts
(therapeutic use)
|