Clinical experience with OM-85 BV in upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

The preventive effect of OM-85 BV on recurrent ENT and respiratory tract infections has been documented in a series of clinical trials. This article reviews the more significant controlled clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of OM-85 BV in airway infections. The literature reviewed covers all age groups. In summary, the administration of OM-85 BV was associated with a decrease in the number of acute exacerbations, with an increase in the number of patients remaining free from infections and with a decrease in antibiotic consumption. These results indicate the efficacy of oral immunostimulation with the bacterial extract OM-85 BV in all age groups and demonstrate its protective effect against recurrent airway infections.