The results indicate that regular intake of probiotics can reduce PPB in the upper respiratory tract. The results also indicate a linkage of the lymphoid tissue between the gut and the upper respiratory tract.

No abstract

The difference between the spectra of potential bacterial pathogens (PBPs) in the nasal vestibule and cavity has not been taken into account in clinical studies. Purpose: Since one can anticipate different flora in different kinds of mucosae, the authors compared bacterial species in the vestibule with those of the cavity. Subjects and Method: A total of 534 healthy male clerical workers in a downtown Lucerne office building were examined with fractionated swabs. Results: PBPs, notably Staphylococcus aureus, were found in 412 subjects and surprisingly, differences in flora of the two sites were noted in 130 of them: PBPs were observed in the vestibule and not in the cavity in 85 of the subjects, and in 45 of them, the reverse was true. Conclusion: The practical implications of these findings are considerable regarding infection control in patients at increased infection risk.

Purpose of Study: This phase I study assessed tolerability and local effect of a liposome dispersion with povidone-iodine (polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine, PVP-I) as nasal spray. Procedures: Three groups received liposomal dispersion with PVP-I (2.2, 4.4 and 0% as control) in single and repeated use (3 days, three times a day). A set of functional and cytological tests as well as safety assessments were performed. Results: No safety-relevant finding or serious adverse events were reported, no evidence for cyto- nor genotoxicity obtained. No clinically relevant changes in mucosa appearance, nor in olfactory sense, nor in ciliary activity (sensitive indicator of local tolerance) occurred and no complaints about nasal airflow obstruction were observed. All liposomal formulations had a positive effect on the nasal mucosa, challenged by allergy in some volunteers. Conclusions and Message: Application of liposomal PVP-I spray to the nasal mucosa does not result in any demonstrable limitation of the nasal function nor in detectable damage to the multilayer ciliated epithelium of the nose. Improvement of various parameters of nasal function under liposomal PVP-I suggest improved mucociliary clearance. Explanation could be humidification, improved surfactant (phospholipid) level and/or sufficient mucolytic activity of iodide due to local application of the constituents.

Virosomal vaccines were prepared by extracting hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase from influenza virus and incorporating it in the membranes of liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine. Two intranasal spray vaccine series were prepared: one series comprised 7.5 μg of HA of each of three strains recommended by the World Health Organization and 1 μg of Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin (HLT), and the other contained the HA without HLT. In addition, a third vaccine preparation contained 15 μg of HA and 2 μg of HLT. The parenteral virosomal vaccine contained 15 μg of HA without additional adjuvant. The immunogenicity of a single spray vaccination (15 μg of HA and 2 μg of HLT) was compared with that of two vaccinations (7.5 μg of HA with or without 1 μg of HLT) with an interval of 1 week in 60 healthy working adults. Twenty volunteers received one parenteral virosomal vaccine. Two nasal spray vaccinations with HLT-adjuvanted virosomal influenza vaccine induced a humoral immune response which was comparable to that with a single parenteral vaccination. A significantly higher induction of influenza virus-specific immunoglobulin A was noted in the saliva after two nasal applications. The immune response after a single spray vaccination was significantly lower. It could be shown that the use of HLT as a mucosal adjuvant is necessary to obtain a humoral immune response comparable to that with parenteral vaccination. All vaccines were well tolerated.