Pediatria pre prax 5/2010

Immunomodulation therapy in pediatrics

The author characterizes the term immunomodulation therapy and explains related terms or those often used instead of this very general term. Next, he focuses on the definition and basic principles of treatment of recurrent respiratory infections for which immunomodulation therapy is most commonly used in paediatric clinical practice. Immunomodulators of bacterial origin are dealt with in detail. The author characterizes the composition and route of administration of medications currently available in the market in the Czech Republic, describes new developments in understanding the mechanism of their action and comments on some specific situations related to their use – antibiotic therapy, routine vaccination of children or the risk of autoimmune diseases.

Keywords: immunomodulation, immunosubstitution, immunostimulation, recurrent infection.