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Background: Polyvalent Mechanical Bacterial Lysate (PMBL®) contains antigens of bacteria responsible for respiratory infections. PMBL® has been proven to reduce the number of respiratory infections, and in its use, immunological benefits have been seen in allergic patients. PMBL® activates both innate and specific immune responses. The lysate induces dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes and IgA secretion, as well as the production of antibodies directed against administered bacterial antigens. Moreover, it increases the response against other bacteria and viruses. The immunologic mechanism of lysate's action is not yet clearly determined. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of PMBL® on T cells in children with allergic asthma. Methods: This study was a part of the EOLIA study. Herein, 49 children with allergic asthma and house dust mites allergy were included: 21 in PMBL® and 28 in the Placebo group, both, drug and placebo were administered sublingually. The tests were done at baseline and 12 weeks after the last tablet intake. The lymphocytes CD45+, lymphocytes T CD3+, CD3+CD25+, CD3+CD69+, Th CD3+CD4+, CD4+CD25+, CD4+CD25+ high, CD4+CD69+, Treg CD4+CD25+FOXP3, Tc CD3+CD8+, CD8+CD25+, CD8+CD69+, NK-like T CD3+CD16+CD56+ and NK cells CD3−CD16+CD56+ were described. Results: At baseline, no significant differences between groups relative to blood count cells were observed, except for eosinophils. After 12 weeks, we observed an increase of T lymphocytes count. In addition, CD4+CD25+FOXP3+, CD8+ and CD3−CD16+CD56+ and (insignificantly) Th count increased. However, CD69+ and CD25+ subset of CD3+ significantly decreased. Conclusions: The EOLIA study demonstrated that PMBL® administration 10 days per month for 3 months changed the panel of T lymphocytes. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registration: This study was a part of the EOLIA (Efficacy Of mechanical bacterial Lysate In Allergic children), a clinical study NCT02541331. Frederic Durmont, MD Lallemand Pharma International AG. Date of registration 09/08/2013. URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02541331. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asthma control is an important measure of disease stabilization, which is linked to the treatment and lifestyle recommendations. Aim: To assess the impact of selected factors on asthma control in adolescents, as assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT™). Material and methods: The prospective study included 100 asthma patients aged between 12 and 19. Asthma was assessed in three consecutive follow-up visits spaced 3 months apart, using the standardized ACT™ questionnaire. Results: Asthma was fully controlled (ACT score = 25 points) in more than half of the patients in all follow-up visits (53.0%, 54.0%, and 56.0%, respectively). More than one third of the participants scored between 20 and 24 points (37.0% vs. 39.0% vs. 40.0%). A minority of patients had uncontrolled asthma (scores below 20), and the group consistently diminished in subsequent visits (10% vs. 7% vs. 4%). Uncontrolled asthma was found significantly more often in female patients (33.33%; p < 0.001) and those living in rural areas (20.59%; p < 0.01). Treatment with a combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and LABAs was associated with worse asthma control (14.81%; p < 0.05). Better asthma control was found in patients with a family history of allergies (73.85% vs. 75.38% vs. 78.46%; p < 0.001) and in those with concurrent allergies (66.67% vs. 68.00% vs. 70.67%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Asthma control in adolescents differs by sex and residence. Concurrent allergies and family history of allergies improve asthma self-control in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halken S, Agertoft L, Seidenberg J, Bauer C-P, Payot F, Martin-Muñoz MF, Bartkowiak-Emeryk M, Vereda A, Jean-Alphonse S, Melac M, Le Gall M, Wahn U. Five-grass pollen 300IR SLIT tablets: efficacy and safety in children and adolescents. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 970–976. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S The efficacy and safety of five-grass pollen 300IR sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets (Stallergènes SA, France) have previously been demonstrated in paediatric patients. This report presents additional data concerning efficacy at pollen peak, efficacy and safety according to age, nasal and ocular symptoms, use of rescue medication, satisfaction with treatment and compliance. Children (5–11 yr) and adolescents (12–17 yr) with grass pollen–allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were included in a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and received either a 300IR five-grass pollen tablet or placebo daily in a pre- (4 months) and co-seasonal protocol. The severity of six symptoms (sneezing, rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion, nasal and ocular pruritis, and tearing) was scored, and rescue medication use was recorded daily during the pollen season. Patient satisfaction was recorded at the season end. A total of 161 children and 117 adolescents were evaluated (n = 267). 300IR SLIT was effective over the whole season (p = 0.0010) and at the pollen peak (p = 0.0009). The adjusted mean difference between 300IR and placebo groups was significant for both nasal (p = 0.0183) and ocular (p < 0.0001) symptoms. Rescue medication use was statistically lower in the SLIT group during the pollen season and at the pollen peak (both p < 0.05). More patients in the SLIT group were satisfied with their treatment compared to placebo (83.2% vs. 68.1%, p = 0.0030), and compliance was high (SLIT 93.9% of patients were compliant, placebo 94.8% of patients were compliant). SLIT was well tolerated by children and adolescents. 300IR five-grass pollen tablets are effective and safe during the pollen season and at the pollen peak in children and adolescents with grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]