Bacterial lysates in the prevention of respiratory tract infections.

Bacterial lysates stimulate the general immunity of the body in a non-specific way. They act on non-specific defense mechanisms, leading to an increase in type A antibody in mucous membranes, phagocytic activity and INF-ƴ production. They can also stimulate the production of specific antibodies against the bacterial antigens that make up the preparation. The oral immunomodulatory preparations with the best documented clinical efficacy available on the Polish market are Ismigen, Broncho-Vaxom, Ribomunyl and Luivac. They are all lysates of bacterial strains that most often cause respiratory tract infections. In many clinical trials, oral bacterial lysates have been shown to minimize the risk of recurrent respiratory infections in children and adults and reduce the need for antibiotics.