The effectiveness of the use of the drug recombinant interferon alfa-2b for the prevention of acute respiratory infections in preschool children

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common diseases of children, the main reasons for which are the age-related characteristics of the immune response, exacerbated by adverse perinatal factors, allergies, and increased contact with potential pathogens (the beginning of visits to preschool institutions, etc.).

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the drug recombinant interferon α-2b to reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections in preschool children.

Throughout the year, there were 50 children under observation (average age 29.2 ± 0.97 months) attending preschool institutions. Recombinant interferon α-2b, ointment — VIFERON® 2500 IU 2 times a day for 14 days, in the next 4 weeks — 2500 IU 2 times a day 3 times a week was used for 25 children of the main group for the prevention of ARI in the pre-epidemic period.

Results: The use of recombinant interferon α-2b in children of the main group showed a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of ARI, pneumonia, otitis, and the disappearance of pathological symptoms in the nasopharynx. An increase in the level of antiviral cytokines (IFN-α, p = 0.0088, IFN-γ, p = 0.0014) and a decrease in the concentration of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, p = 0.0072) were recorded. Carriage of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Candida albicans decreased by 2 times. Decrease in titer of antibodies to Str. pyogenes (p = 0.0251), Str. pneumoniae (p = 0.0491), Branchamella catarrhalis (p = 0.0369), Haemophilus influenzae (p = 0.0251) indicates a decrease in the sensitization of the child's organism to microbial antigens.