Pidotimod combined with huaiqihuang in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infections in children

Objective To observe the effect of pidotimod and combined with huaiqihuang（ a traditional Chinese medicine）on recurrent respiratory tract infections and its influence on immune function. Methods One hundred and fifty-nine children with recurrent respiratory tract infections met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into observation group,pidotimod group and control group,with 53 cases in each group. The control group was given conventional treatment,while the observation group was given pidotimod and huaiqihuang on the basis of conventional treatment,the pidotimod group was given pidotemod on the basis of conventional treatment. After follow-up for 6 months,the symptoms were observed,the levels of T cells subsets and immunoglobulin were detected,the clinical efficacy was evaluated,and the recurrences times were counted. Results The remarkable efficiency of the observation group,pidotimod group and the control group was 76%,59% and 27%,the total efficiency was 91%, 72% and 49%,the recurrences frequency were（1. 5 ± 0. 4）,（2. 3 ± 0. 4）and（ 6. 0 ± 1. 0）times,respectively. There were significant differences between the groups（P﹤0. 01）. The time of defervescence, the disappearing time of coughing and pulmonary signs,and the recovery time of tonsil enlargement among the three groups were significantly different（ P﹤0 . 01 ）. T cell subsets（ CD3﹢,CD4﹢,CD8﹢） and immunoglobulin（ IgA,IgG,IgM）of the observation group and the pidotimod group after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment. T cell subsets（ CD3﹢,CD4﹢,CD8﹢）,immunoglobulin（ IgA,IgG,IgM）of the observation group and the pidotimod group after treatment was significant-ly higher than that of the control group;there were significant differences. But these indicators of the control group were not changed significantly after treatment. Conclusions Pidotimod can effectively improve the anti-infection ability. The therapy of pidotimod combined with huaiqihuang can significantly enhance the cellular immunity and humoral immunity,assist to alleviate the symptoms and signs of acute exacerbation,and reduce the recurrence frequency,so is worthy of clinical use in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infections. Key words: Recurrent respiratory tract infections;  Children;  Immunomodulator;  T cell subsets;  Immunoglobulin