Effect of Lactoferrin in Pneumonia Treatment

Pneumonia is defind as the inflammation of lung tissue caused by an infectious agent that results in acute respiratory signs and symptoms. Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and increased health care costs. In developing nations, pneumonia remains a significant cause of mortality in children. Pneumonia occurs in 30 to 45 of every 1,000 children under 5 years of age; it is less common in 5- to 9-year olds (16 to 22/1,000) and in older children (7 to 16/1,000). Streptococcus pneumoniae is the primary bacterial cause of pneumonia in infants and children. Viral etiologies become less prevalent and mycoplasmal and chlamydial infections become more prevalent with increasing age

Lactoferrin (LF) is iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family that is expressed and secreted by glandular cells and is found in most body fluids . It appears at especially high concentrations in mammalian milk and was first identified in bovine milk , and was subsequently isolated from human milk. LFs bacteriostatic function is due to its ability to take up the Fe3+ ion, limiting use of this nutrient by bacteria at the infection site and inhibiting the growth of these microorganisms as well as the expression of their virulence factors .

Lactoferrin binds to and blocks glycosaminoglycan viral receptors, especially heparan sulfate (HS). The binding of LF and HS prevents the first contact between virus and host cell and therefore prevents the infection

Inclusion Criteria: Pneumonia patients from the age of one month to the age of 18 years . Exclusion Criteria: Neonates and any children with : immune deficiency congenital heart disease neuromascular disorder genetic syndromes