[Value of Imocur in the prevention of recurrent infections in children under six years of age.  Results of a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial]. 
Sixty-four children under six years of age with recurrent ear, nose and throat and/or lower respiratory tract infections (three episodes or more during the previous winter) were included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the oral bacterial immunomodulator Imocur.  Imocur provided better individual protection than the placebo throughout the three-month treatment period and the subsequent three-month follow-up period.  Among the patients given Imocur, 34% remained free of infection and 37% required no antimicrobial drugs throughout the six-month study period, as compared with 3% and 10%, respectively, among the controls.  The number of infectious episodes per patients during the six-month study period was 4.86 among controls versus 1.66 among patients given Imocur.  Use of antimicrobial agents was reduced by half among patients treated with Imocur as compared with controls.  Tolerance was outstanding, with no adverse effects among treated patients.  These results show that Imocur is an effective immunomodulator for the treatment of recurrent ear, nose and throat and/or lower respiratory tract infections in children.