[Impaired interferon status in children with acute respiratory infection and its correction with bifidumbacterin-forte].

The state of interferon status was studied in 46 hospitalized children: 33 patients with complicated forms of acute respiratory virus infection (ARVI), such as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc., and 13 patients with vegetovascular dystonia (used as a comparison group). The study revealed that in patients with acute infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract considerable changes in their interferon system were registered. Children with ARVI were treated with Bifidumbacterin forte, a probiotic preparation, in large doses. Bifidumbacterin forte was found to produce a regulatory effect on the interferon system by enhancing the induction of alpha- and gamma-interferon and decreasing the production of serum interferon. The experience of using Bifidumbacterin forte in large doses proved that the preparation was well tolerated and could be used for the correction of interferon status.