Perspectives for the Use of Bacterial Lysates for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Bacterial lysates (BLs) are mixtures of bacterial antigens that have been used for many decades to minimize the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections in both pediatric and adult populations. Research on the use of BLs is also conducted in allergology. Biomedical databases were searched for articles on the use of BLs in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). After rejecting ineligible articles, six remaining reports were reviewed. Based on this review, it can be concluded that adding BL to standard therapy for seasonal or perennial AR reduces the severity of nasal symptoms and the need for antiallergic medications in both children and adults. Concurrently, these formulations have a high safety profile. An analysis of studies shows that the first effects of BLs therapy appear at the earliest 2–6 weeks after the start of treatment and persist at least 3 months after treatment.

Keywords:

• bacterial lysate
• allergic rhinitis
• immunostimulation
• treatment

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas. All authors took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.