Probiotics as a biotherapeutics for the management and prevention of respiratory tract diseases

Respiratory diseases are responsible for a greater mortality rate around the world. Viral or bacterial infections in the respiratory tract have been identified as major causative agents for death and disability among the population. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) cause severe respiratory ailments starting from cold-like symptoms, eventually affecting the lungs and other viscera, and are mainly categorized by two types depending on the affected area: Upper respiratory tract infections and Lower respiratory tract infections. Respiratory viruses belong to several viral families such as influenza virus, enterovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and recently severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Studies have indicated that people with good immune functions are less prone to respiratory infections and also their recovery rate is quicker. Innate and acquired immune system actively participate in the recognition and elimination of the pathogenic agents. In the present context, the potential of probiotics is recognized as viable microorganisms which support the balance of the beneficial microbial population of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and promote host immunity. The probiotics have long been known to regulate bodily immune functions and have been used against general RTIs such as cough, pharyngitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, and asthma. Additionally, intervention with probiotics could directly affect the composition of the gut-microbiota which have been shown to palliate respiratory diseases by modulating pulmonary immune activities through the gut-lung axis, thereby probiotics could become an alternative therapeutic approach for respiratory tract infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.