Effects of a Lactobacilli Probiotic on Reducing Duration of URTI and Fever, and Use of URTI-Associated Medicine: A Re-Analysis of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

We previously reported on the effects of Lactoplantibacillus plantarum DR7 on reducing Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) symptoms’ score and frequency in 109 adults upon a 12-week consumption at 109 colony-forming units (CFU)/day, but several limitations were detected in the publication. Thus, the present study re-analyzed some data with the aim to address some of these weaknesses, and presents new data on duration of URTI and consumption of URTI-associated medication, as compared to the placebo. Our re-analyses found probiotic administration significantly reduced the proportion of patient days of URTI and of fever (all p < 0.05). Recent history of URTI was a prevalent co-factor in affecting duration of URTI symptoms and fever, while other demographic and clinical factors had no influence. Exploratory analyses suggested probiotic had an earlier benefit in patients without a recent history of URTI compared to those with a recent history of URTI. Therefore, recent history of infections could have a modulatory effect on probiotic efficacy. Average number of months with reported use of URTI-related medication was 3.4-times lower in the probiotic group as compared to placebo (p = 0.016) during the intervention. Taken together, our present new data further support previous findings that DR7 probiotic had a beneficial effect on URTI.

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Effects of Yeast (1,3)-(1,6)-Beta-Glucan on Severity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Subjects

Journal of the American College of Nutrition ◽

10.1080/07315724.2018.1478339 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 40-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tanita Dharsono ◽

Karolina Rudnicka ◽

Manfred Wilhelm ◽

Christiane Schoen

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Beta Glucan ◽

Double Blind ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

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Bacterial Infections of the Adult Upper Respiratory Tract

10.2310/fm.1237 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Laura K Certain ◽

Miriam B Barshak

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Group A Streptococcus ◽

The United States ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common maladies experienced by humankind.1 The majority are caused by respiratory viruses. A Dutch case-controlled study of primary care patients with acute respiratory tract infections found that viruses accounted for 58% of cases; rhinovirus was the most common (24%), followed by influenza virus type A (11%) and coronaviruses (7%). Group A streptococcus (GAS) was responsible for 11%, and 3% of patients had mixed infections. Potential pathogens were detected in 30% of control patients who were free of acute respiratory symptoms; rhinovirus was the most common.2 Given the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and the increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy microbiome, antibiotic use for upper respiratory infections should be reserved for those patients with clear indications for treatment. A recent study of adult outpatient visits in the United States found that respiratory complaints accounted for 150 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 population annually, yet the expected “appropriate” rate would be 45.3 In other words, most antibiotic prescriptions for these complaints are unnecessary. Similarly, a study in the United Kingdom found that general practitioners prescribed antibiotics to about half of all patients presenting with an upper respiratory infection, even though most of these infections are viral.4 This review contains 5 figures, 16 tables, and 82 references. Keywords: infection, airway, sinusitis, otitis media, otitis externa, pharyngitis, epiglottitis, abscess

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The snoring 2-year-old boy: a case of primary nasopharyngeal Burkitt’s lymphoma

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2019-233536 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. e233536

Author(s):

Gerd Xuereb ◽

Justine Borg ◽

Kurt Apap ◽

Charles Borg

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Cervical Lymphadenopathy ◽

Burkitt’S Lymphoma ◽

Burkitt's Lymphoma ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Lymph Node Enlargement ◽

History Of ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Nose And Throat

Sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma affecting the nasopharyngeal region is an extremely rare disease, especially in infants. We describe the case of a 2-year-old boy who presented to the ear, nose and throat department with a history of snoring, blood-stained rhinorrhoea and symptoms consistent with upper respiratory tract infections. Physical examination revealed massive cervical lymphadenopathy. MRI of the head and neck showed a mass lesion in the nasopharynx with bilateral lymph node enlargement. Debulking of the mass was performed and biopsies were sent for histology, which confirmed Burkitt’s lymphoma. The patient was treated with complex chemotherapy and had a good clinical response. The patient remains in remission after 6 years.

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A Placebo Controlled, Double-Blind Evaluation of Levamisole in the Reduction of the Frequency, Duration and Severity of Attacks in Children Suffering from Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/030006057900700408 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 302-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

F Dils

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Single Body ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Adjusted Dose

In a double-blind placebo controlled study of levamisole in the treatment of children with recurrent upper respiratory tract infection (URI) eighty-six patients took part. Medication was given once a week, in a single body-weight adjusted dose. The children treated with levamisole had a statistically significantly reduced incidence of episodes of infection which were less severe, less prolonged and required less antibiotics. No side-effects were reported.

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Novel BTK mutation in X-linked agammaglobulinemia: Report of a 17-year-old male

Allergologia et Immunopathologia ◽

10.15586/aei.v49i2.62 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 80-83

Author(s):

Zoha Shaka ◽

Helia Mojtabavi ◽

Elham Rayzan ◽

Samaneh Zoghi ◽

Sepideh Shahkarami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Gene Mutations ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Rare Mutations ◽

Whole Exome ◽

History Of ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Increased Susceptibility

Introduction and objectives: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), the first known primary immunodeficiency, is caused by rare mutations in Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene. Mutations in the BTK gene lead to a failure in the development and maturation of B-cell linage. A decreased number of B-cells results in agammaglobulinemia and increased susceptibility to a variety of infections. Therefore, patients with XLA usually manifest with repetitive bacterial infections, such as upper respiratory tract infections, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and urinary tract infections, since their infancy. Patients: We report a 17-year-old Iranian boy with XLA, referred to us with a history of severe and recurrent episodes of bacterial infections for a period of six years. Results: Genetic analysis using the whole Exome sequencing revealed a hemizygous missense mutation in the BTK gene (c.428 A > T, p.His143Leu). Conclusion: To our knowledge, c.428 A > T has not been reported in the BTK gene.

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