INFLUENCE OF MICROBIOTA ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Abstract

The article presents a study conducted for the purpose of investigating the state of the microflora of the intestine and upper respiratory tract, and its effect on the immune system, in children with recurrent respiratory infections (RRI). For this purpose, the study enrolled 340 children with RRI and 125 practically healthy children aged from 6 months to 6 years. In addition to general clinical and immunological 62 examinations, the state of the upper respiratory tract and intestinal microflora was investigated by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacteriological examination. The study demonstrated that, among persistent infections, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, chlamydial, and mycoplasmal infections are encountered more frequently in children with RRI; these infections play a principal role in the aggravation, recurrence, prolonged course, and chronification of the disease, causing greater damage to the immune system, particularly cellular immunity. During opportunistic infections such as chlamydia and mycoplasma, the disease tended to follow a more prolonged course, presenting with few symptoms and an atypical course, with broncho-obstructive syndrome being the principal leading symptom in the majority of patients. Intestinal dysbiosis was detected in 67.6% of cases in the RRI group, which indicates a weakening of the immune system under conditions of RRI.