title: Oral bacterial flora and secretory IgA in small children after repeated courses of antibiotics.
abstract: 23 small children with recurrent respiratory tract infections, who were found to have low saliva IgA levels but normal serum Ig levels, were divided into two groups: group 1 (12 patients) in whom antibiotics were stopped for a period of 18 months, and group 2 (11 patients) who received antibiotics when necessary for an equal period of time. Parents of group 1 children were instructed to bring their children to our department on signs of respiratory tract infections with fever, whereas group 2 children were treated by their general practitioner. At the termination of the study, contrary to group 2 children, most group 1 children had developed normal saliva IgA levels, carried few potentially pathogenic bacteria in their throats, and had received considerably fewer courses of antibiotics. The question is raised, whether repeated antibiotic therapy in small children favours the colonization of pathogenic bacteria on mucosal surfaces, and, whether proteases, synthesized by these microorganisms may be able to cleave IgA in secretions.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases