Immunomodulation for Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections: New Insights and Perspectives

Abstract

The 1st biennial WAidid Congress held in Milan, Italy, brought together academics and clinicians from the broad field of infectious diseases and immunology. The conference was founded in order to create a network connecting this diverse field and to allow the showcasing of data and therapeutic techniques amongst specialists concentrating on different age groups and organs. Prof Roth and Conference Chair Prof Esposito presented a symposium on the use of immunomodulation for prophylaxis against recurrent respiratory tract infections on Day 2 of the conference. The symposium covered risk factors in the paediatric population and different treatment options for recurrent respiratory tract infections before focussing on the immunomodulatory prophylactic OM-85 (Broncho-Vaxom®, Broncho-Munal®, Ommunal®, Paxoral®, Vaxoral®). OM-85 is an orally administered immunomodulator, which has been shown to provide protection against respiratory infections of both viral and bacterial aetiologies in patients at high risk of recurrent infection. The symposium detailed the immunological mechanism of OM-85’s protective effects as well as safety and efficacy data in various patient populations.