SOVREMENNAYA PEDIATRIYA.2015.6(70):25-29 
 

The role of OM-85 BV (Broncho-Vaxom) in preventing recurrent acute tonsillitis in children 
 

Bitar M. A., Saade R.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon 
 

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of an immunostimulant (bacterial lysate) Broncho-Vaxom in the management of children with recurrent acute tonsillitis.
 

Methods. A 5-year retrospective cohort study of 177 children presenting with a diagnosis of recurrent acute tonsillitis. 
 

Patients' demographics and laboratory studies at presentation were retrieved. For patients given Broncho-Vaxom, we defined response as a decrease in the frequency of acute tonsillitis episodes after 3 months of therapy (partial: by >50% and total: by >50%). Patients showing response to Broncho-Vaxom were further followed until studyend or need for tonsillectomy. 
 

Results: The median age of patients was 4.5 years (range: 1-15 years) with 63.8% being males. 131 (74%) patients received Broncho-Vaxom as initial therapy, and 99 (75.6%) showed response (51.2% total and 24.4% partial response). A normal ESR level was the only predictor of total compared with no response (OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.03-12.07); while both normal ESR (OR: 7.15-times, 95% CI: 1.18-43.39) and normal CRP (OR: 12.66, 95% CI: 1.43-111.86) levels were independent predictors of total over partial response. None of the patients showing total response required tonsillectomy on long-term follow up while in those with partial response 34.4% required subsequent tonsillectomy (median follow-up: 9 months). 
 

Conclusions. A considerable proportion of children receiving Broncho-Vaxom for recurrent acute tonsillitis show a decrease in the frequency of episodes in the short term, and very few patients eventually require tonsillectomy on long-term follow up. 
 

Key words: Bacterial lysates Immunomodulators Immunostimulants Recurrent tonsillitis. 

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