Broncho-vaxom is an extract of respiratory bacteria that is used outside the United States to treat and prevent bronchitis and sinusitis. It is a mixture of lipopolysaccharides from these bacteria: Hemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus sanguinis and Moraxella catarrhalis.  

It has been evaluated using placebo controlled blinded studies in both children and adults. In adults with COPD, it reduced the frequency of infection by 29% and in smokers/ex-smokers by 40%. In children it reduced sinus/ear/bronchial infections by 52%.  

It is an oral formulation that works via the gut-lung axis. Pathogens are detected by our immune system by pattern recognition receptors found on dendrite cells. Exposing our gut dendrite cells to the broken-down bacteria teaches them better recognition of these bacteria and this new knowledge is transferred to our respiratory membranes. It also leads to specific antibody production of IgA and IgG Directed against these bacteria. Finally, it improves cilial function (the tiny little hairs on our respiratory membranes that sweep out bacteria) and reduces air way inflammation. Another condition helped by Broncho-Vaxom is bronchiectasis, a difficult to treat form of chronic bronchitis. Finally, there is also research ongoing to use it to prevent the development of asthma in small children. Boston Children’s Hospital has a large ongoing study in this regard.