Efficacy of LiveSpo Navax in Supportive Treatment of Pneumonia in Children With RSV and Bacterial Co-infections

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and bacterial co-infection are the most common causes of pneumonia. Currently, there is no vaccine available for RSV prevention, and the use of the antiviral medication ribavirin is not widely recommended for children. Therefore, the primary treatment approach follows the general protocol for pneumonia, and oxygen therapy is recommended for all cases of pneumonia with respiratory failure. However, in children, the treatment of RSV and bacterial pneumonia remains supportive to prevent bacterial co-infection and respiratory failure. Probiotics have emerged as promising and safe options for supporting the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) and reducing dependence on antibiotics in recent years. In this study, investigators propose that the direct administration of probiotics through a nasal spray can offer rapid and effective symptomatic treatment for children with pneumonia who require oxygen therapy due to RSV and bacterial co-infections. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nasal-spraying probiotics containing spores of two bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus clausii (LiveSpo Navax), in preventing and supporting the treatment of severe pneumonia in children (who require oxygen therapy) caused by RSV infection and bacterial co-infection. Study population: The sample size was 100, and the study was conducted at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. Description of Study Intervention: All 100 eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 50/each): Patients in the Control group received routine treatment and were administered 0.9% NaCl physiological saline 3 times/day, while the patients in the Navax group received LiveSpo Navax 3 times/day in addition to the same standard of care treatment. The standard treatment regimen typically lasts for 5-7 days, but its duration can be extended based on the severity of the patient's respiratory failure. Study duration: 12 months.