Aim. To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of the sorbed probiotics Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 (5108 KОЕ) and B. bifidum 1 (5107 KОЕ) in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum 8P-А3 in the complex therapy of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients without severe risk factors. Materials and methods. An open, randomized prospective study included 100 patients (45 men, 55 women), aged 18 to 60 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19 with pneumonia confirmed by computed tomography, and an area of lung lesion no more than 75% (moderate forms). SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasal and oropharyngeal swabs (RT-PCR) was detected in 72% of the participants, in the rest it was highly probable in terms of the aggregate parameters. Diagnostics of COVID-19 and its severity, the appointment of a standard examination and treatment were carried out in accordance with the Temporary Methodological Recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Russia, version 8 of 09.03.2020. This publication presents the results of using B. bifidum 1 (3 capsules twice a day for 10 days) during the peak of clinical manifestations (in a hospital). Results. In those who received sorbed B. bifidum 1, by the 10th day of treatment, the frequency of weakness was 32% lower (RR 0.55 [95% CI 0.240.73], OR 0.25 [0.110.59]); hypoosmia/dysgeusia by 22% (RR 0.42 [0.050.65], OR 0.40 [0.170.90]) and cough by 24% (RR 0.39 [0.070.60], OR 0.38 [0.170.84]). B. bifidum 1 reduced the average duration of weakness by 3 days [1.14.9], hypoosmia/dysgeusia by 3.2 days [1.35.1], cough by 1.9 days [0.43,4], dyspnea by 1.8 days [0.72.7], diarrhea by 1.7 days [0.13.5]; reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 20% (RR 0.77 [0.240.93], OR 0.18 [0.050.68]). Due to the deterioration of the condition and the increase in the symptoms of respiratory failure, additional treatment was required less often by 24% (p=0.005). After the end of the intervention, the frequency of virologic debridement, levels of CRP, leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets and the degree of lung damage on computed tomography did not statistically differ in the compared groups. No side effects of B. bifidum 1 (5108 KОЕ) have been identified. Conclusion. The use of sorbed B. bifidum 1 (5108 KОЕ) improved the well-being of patients without risk factors with moderate viral (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia and reduced the duration of diarrheal syndrome in a short time. The safety profile of their use was high. More research is needed to clarify the anti-inflammatory effects of the sorbed probiotic.

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Acute tonsillitis (AT) and functional disorders of the digestive system (FDDS) are widespread among children. There is insufficient information about whether FDDS affects the incidence and course of АT, or whether АT may predispose to the development of АT. The aim is to discover a possible relationship between acute exudative tonsillitis and FDDS in children in the context of clinical and medico-social assessment. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was performed using the continuous sampling method. There were 137 patients under observation, aged from one to 18 years, hospitalized in a hospital with АT, proceeding with overlaps on the tonsils, including 44 children younger and 93 older than 4 years. Bacterial АT was diagnosed on the MacIsack scale (≥ 4 points) in combination with the determination of inflammatory markers (leukocytosis, CRP). Epstein-Barr viral etiology of АT was diagnosed based on the detection of anti-EBV-VCA IgM and/or anti-EBV-EA IgG in the absence of anti-EBV-NA IgG. The legal representatives of the children agreed to participate in the study and completed a developed questionnaire containing 41 questions to assess medical and social factors, health status and gastrointestinal symptoms. FDDS diagnosis was carried out according to Rome IV 2016 criteria. Stool character was assessed using the Bristol scale, and clinical symptoms of АT were also analyzed. Results: Bacterial АT was diagnosed in 51.1% (70) of patients and EBV tonsillitis — in 48.9% (67), namely with equal frequency. The incidence of FDDS was 41.6% (95% CI (confidence interval) (33.3, 50.3), including 38.7% in children from 1 to 4 years old (95% CI (24.4, 54.5) and over 4 years 43.0% (95% CI (32.8, 53.7). Functional constipation (25.0%) and functional diarrhea (13.6%) were found in young children, all children over the age of 4 years had abdominal pain (including irritable bowel syndrome with a predominance of constipation — 4.3%). In EBV-RT with FDDS, the incidence of hepatolienal syndrome was 33.3% higher (RR (relative risk) 2.40; 95% CI (1.02, 5.66) and OR (odds ratio) 5.46; 95% CI (1.39, 21.28). Children with FDDS are 22.4% more likely (RR 1.65; 95% CI (1.21, 2.24) and OR 4.1; 95% CI (1.39, 12.07) suffered from recurrent acute respiratory infections; their relatives were more likely to have gastroenterological diseases (RR 1.54; 95% CI (1.12, 2.13) and OR 2.99; 95% CI (1.22, 7.34). Perinatal hypoxic lesions of the central nervous system were more often recorded in patients with FDDS in the anamnesis (RR 1.99; 95% CI (1.25, 3.15) and OR 4.13; 95% CI (1.37, 12.42). Conclusion: The etiological role of EBV among children with exudative АT admitted to the hospital is high. FDDS is more common among children with exudative АT over 4 years of age than in the general pediatric population. The influence of FDDS on the clinical manifestations of EBV-RT is highly probable. It is advisable to continue the study to determine the significance of АT in the development of FDDS in children and adolescents; their results may be useful for clinical practice.

Background. Children and adolescents with infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have not been given sufficient attention due to mild forms of HCV and delays in approval of antiviral treatment regimens. Omissions in the studies of pediatric cohorts and shortcomings of management policies aimed at children should be eliminated by improving screening coverage and access to treatment. The aim of the study was to present the results of the cascade sequence of diagnostic testing, care and treatment of children with HCV in the Moscow Region (MR). Materials and methods. The study included all HCV seropositive children of MR (n = 175), who underwent screening tests, and it did not include patients living with HIV/HCV coinfection. Children were observed from 2017 to 2022. The HCV RNA was detected in 164 children and HCV genotypes were identified in 99 children. The stage of liver fibrosis was assessed in 73 children by transient elastography and by FIB-4 index calculation. Results. In MR, 93.7% of seropositive children were tested for HCV RNA; 71.2% of adolescents over 12 years of age received treatment. The prevalence of HCV seropositivity was estimated at 0.113/1,000 children population; the prevalence of chronic HCV infection was at least 0.059/1,000. The dominant HCV subtypes were GT 1b (43.4% [the 95% confidence interval, 33.553.8%]), GT 3a (23.2% [15.332.8%]) and GT 3a/3b (20.2% [12.829.5%]). The incidence of viremic HCV infection per 100,000 children was 3.3 among children under 3 years of age; 7.0 among children aged 36 years; 7.7 among children aged 711 years, 4.4 among adolescents older than 12 years. Natural HCV clearance was reported at the frequency of 19.5% [13.826.4%]. Extrahepatic manifestations were of rare occasion 2.9% [0.96.5%]. Vertical transmission was the primary route of HCV transmission (78.3% [71.484.2%]); infection is assumed to occur during medical invasive procedures 7.4% [4.012.4%], drug using 0.6% [0.013.10%], in the family household 0.6% [0.013.10%]. New cases of HCV infection were more frequently detected during routine examination of children prior to hospitalization or children born to mothers with HCV. Viremic HCV was confirmed in 90.2% [84.694.3%], including HCV infection in 53.4% [45.061.6%], chronic liver disease in 35.8% [28.144.1%] having low activity and occasional consequences (the fibrosis METAVIR score of F1 and F1-2 17.8% [9.828.5%]). No significant clinical and epidemiological differences between the natural course of chronic HCV infection and the liver disease caused by HCV have been found. The burden of pediatric HCV in MR is aggravated by a significant proportion of socially vulnerable patients and patients with comorbid conditions. Conclusion. One of the solutions for detection of new pediatric cases of HCV infection in MR can be offered by improvement of collaboration and continuity of care among healthcare organizations and early treatment of women of childbearing age. Further research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of routine testing of all socially vulnerable pediatric groups. Early application of pan-genotypic antiviral treatment regimens can contribute significantly to control of the HCV infection incidence in children.