Therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of a probiotic complex in infections with combined lesions to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic complex containing L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis in the treatment of acute respiratory and intestinal infections with CLRGT in children. Patients and methods. This study included 376 children with clinical manifestations of acute respiratory and/or intestinal infections (ARIs and AIIs respectively) admitted to hospitals in Moscow and Obninsk within the first 24 h after symptom onset. The diagnosis of ARI and AII was based on clinical signs and results of laboratory testing. All study participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 included 204 children (54.3%) with ARI symptoms alone; Group 2 included 105 children (27.9%) with AII symptoms alone; and Group 3 included 67 children (17.8%) with CLRGT. Patients in each group were randomized into two subgroups. We evaluated therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of the probiotic complex, including such parameters as frequency of CLRGT development in children receiving the probiotic complex, duration of main respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, incidence of complications, and length of in-hospital stay. Results. Currently, almost 30% of patients with acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infections have CLRGT. The inclusion of a probiotic complex into the treatment regimen for acute infectious diseases resulted in a decreased duration of most symptoms in both clinical groups; however, statistically significant differences were observed only for length of in-hospital stay in children with CLRGT. Conclusion. We recommend the probiotic complex as a part of initial therapy for ARI, AII, and infections with CLRGT, since it improves the prognosis and reduces treatment duration