Specialists gathered at a conference in Kazan to discuss successful ARVI and influenza control methods

ARVI and influenza remain the most common global infectious diseases, causing millions of cases of severe complications and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Leading experts in immunology, pediatrics and otorhinolaryngology discussed current methods of controlling ARVI and influenza during the conference "Polyoxidonium Talks. Advanced strategies of prevention and treatment of respiratory infections: from scientific discoveries to real-world application" in Kazan.

According to Rospotrebnadzor^[1], the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) and influenza over the last week increased by 7.7%; in 49 regions of Russia, the figures exceeded the medium level. In 30 subjects of the Russian Federation, the number of hospitalizations increased by 30% compared to the previous week.

Given the diversity of respiratory viruses, the therapy for infectious diseases requires a comprehensive approach.

As noted by Professor Olesya Skorokhodkina, Dr. habil. med., Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology at FSBEI HE Kazan State Medical University:

Intoxication is one of the specific problems associated with acute respiratory infections and influenza. It manifests with fever, headache, weakness and can lead to serious complications.

Studies show that due to its high molecular weight nature, azoximer bromide forms complexes with toxin molecules and removes them from the body, as well as inhibits the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, which helps reduce intoxication and inflammation^{[3],[4],[5],[6]}. These data were presented by Professor Mikhail Kostinov, Dr. habil. med., Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Laboratory of Vaccine Prophylaxis and Immunotherapy at the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "I.Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera".

Children suffer from acute respiratory infections 2.7-3.2 times more often than adults^[7]. The presented meta-analysis of 5 studies involving 542 children aged 3 to 18 years^[8] demonstrated that azoximer bromide in the comprehensive treatment of respiratory infections reduces the severity grade of the infectious inflammatory process and has a positive effect on immune mechanisms.

Experts have noted that Polyoxidonium^® in the form of solution for intranasal or sublingual administration is approved for use in children 6 months of age and older^[9].

Special attention was paid to the role of mucosal immunity, the first barrier to viruses and bacteria.

Activation of mucosal immunity is critical in prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections. Azoximer bromide contributes to the stimulation of mucosal immunity, enhancing the body’s protective capability. A study involving more than 16,000 patients showed^[10] that the use of Polyoxidonium as part of the comprehensive therapy of ENT diseases can quickly relieve the symptoms of acute respiratory infections, such as fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and cough.

Reference information

Polyoxidonium ^® (azoximer bromide) is an original Russian drug from Petrovax Pharm, widely used in clinical practice in Russia and abroad. It is used in the comprehensive therapy of acute respiratory and ENT conditions in adults and children older than 6 months of age and older. Polyoxidonium with poly effect^® enhances infection control at its focus i.e. on the nasopharynx mucosa, accelerates elimination of catarrhal symptoms, elimination of viral intoxication and improves the condition starting with the 1st day of treatment. The effectiveness and safety of the drug product have been demonstrated in a large number of studies in different areas, including double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

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¹https://rospotrebnadzor.ru/about/info/news/news_details.php?ELEMENT_ID=29409

² NK (natural killer) cell is a special type of lymphocyte that plays a key role in innate immunit.

³ Y. Dagil, B. V. Pinegin et al. Azoximer bromide effect on the neutrophil extracellular traps formation, RMJ Immune Response, No. 1 (2), p. 42-46

⁴ Dyakonova VA et al. Int. Immunopharmac. 2004

⁵ Kuznetsova I. V. and Rashidov T. N. “The place of immunomodulators in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory diseases”. Gynecology 18, vol. 5 (2016): 26–31.

⁶ Некрасов А. В., Пучкова Н. Г. и Иванова А. С. «Химические аспекты создания Полиоксидония». Иммунология, вып. 5 (2000 г.): 19–23.

⁷ Alexandrovich Yu.S. Acute respiratory infections in frequently ill children. Complications and life-threatening conditions. Study Guide. http://www.labirint.ru/books/828483/.

⁸ Karaulov A. V, Gorelov A. V. Use of azoximer bromide for treatment of children's inflammatory infections of respiratory system: a meta-analysis of controlled clinical studies. Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2019. pp. 31-41

⁹ “Instructions for medical use of the medicinal product Polyoxidonium, solution for injection and topical application LP-005312”, July 20, 2021. https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/Grls_View_v2.aspx?routingGuid=79ae0a13-d997-4177-8bba-546cd049858d&t=.

¹⁰ Svistushkin Valery Mikhailovich, Nikiforova Galina Nikolaevna, Eremeeva Ksenia Vladimirovna, Dekhanov Artem Sergeevich, and Kochetkov Petr Alexandrovich. "Possibilities of azoximer bromide in the treatment of patients with acute infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract." Therapeutic Archive 95, issue 11 (22 December 2023): 951–57. https://doi.org/10.26442/00403660.2023.11.202488