ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a review of the knowledge of the positive effects of immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the modulation of respiratory antiviral immunity and their impact on the resistance to viral infections is provided. Pandemics and severe epidemics caused by respiratory viruses have challenged global health systems more than once. Respiratory viral infections are implicated in approximately 50% of community-acquired pneumonia in young children and over 90% of bronchiolitis cases in infants and young children seeking medical attention. In order to understand the effect of beneficial bacteria on viral respiratory infections, it is necessary to remember first some of the immunological mechanisms that are activated in the respiratory tract when a viral attack occurs. Most research regarding the beneficial effects of LAB on viral respiratory infections have focused on influenza virus. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is a severe complication responsible for the high morbidity and mortality associated with viral respiratory infections in high-risk population.
