The Effect of Barrier Methods of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections Prevention on the Functional State of the Nasal Ciliary Epithelium in Children with Recurrent Bronchial Obstruction

Aim. Study effect of cellulose powder on the functional state of the ciliary epithelium in children with bronchial obstruction.

Design. Open prospective non-randomized clinical study.

Material and methods. The study involved 60 children from 3 to 11 years, with a history of frequent acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), occurring with bronchial obstruction or exacerbation of bronchial asthma. Motor activity of the ciliary epithelium was registered with the digital high-speed videomicroscopy method initially and 3 months after the start of the three-month course of its application. Patients were also assessed for the frequency of acute respiratory viral infections; the objective and subjective symptoms of ARVI episodes were evaluated with a point scale during the follow-up period.

Results. After completing the three-month course of cellulose powder with wild garlic extract usage, it was revealed that 55 (91.7%) children did not get ARVI during follow-up, 5 (8.3%) children had ARVI once. There was a reduction in the duration of the disease, a decrease in the severity of symptoms compared with those in previous years, on the scale of severity assessment of symptoms in patients with ARVI: in previous years — 17 (16; 18) points, when interviewed after the use of the studied drug — 9 (7; 10) points (p < 0.05). Of the five children who were ill, only one child developed obstructive bronchitis on the background of a viral infection. The relative number of cells with motile cilia: the middle nasal concha (MNC) — 25% (20%; 30%), the inferior nasal concha (INC) — 25% (15%; 30%); 3 months after the start of taking the cellulose powder: MNC — 40% (30%; 45%), INC — 35% (35%; 45%) (p < 0.01). Ciliary beat frequency in patients initially: MNC — 4.7 (4.2; 5.9) Hz, INC — 4.9 (4.2; 5.7) Hz; 3 months after MNC — 5.9 (5.7; 7.9) Hz (p < 0.01), INC — 6.2 (5.5; 7.2) Hz (р < 0.05).

Conclusion. The use of cellulose powder for preventive purposes prevents infection with ARVIs, protects against reinfection, and also helps to reduce the duration and the severity of the disease manifestations. There is a positive dynamics in the functional status of the ciliary epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, which may reflect a more complete restoration of the mucosa against the background of the absence of ARVI.

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