Lactoferrin: a potential candidate to fight respiratory infections in the pandemic COVID-19 era.

Respiratory infections are a significant burden at any age, but especially in childhood and aging. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the issue since there is no specific treatment and vaccine is not available. Moreover, respiratory symptoms cause social stigma in subjects suffering from an infection of any kind. As new drugs require a very long time to be marketed, a natural compound's interest is growing. In this regard, lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein present in secretions, mainly in breast milk. Lactoferrin has marked antimicrobial activity, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal. Moreover, lactoferrin strongly affects immune response and cellular control activity. Therefore, this natural component could provide a promising effect in preventing respiratory infections and potentially also for COVID-19.

Prevention and treatment of upper respiratory diseases in the pandemic COVID-19 era.

In the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, the need to use preventive-curative treatments is compelling. A series of non-pharmacological compounds, including oligo-elements, vitamins, nutraceuticals, and bacteriotherapy, might affect the risk of COVID-19, both reinforcing the immune system and improving the inflammation resolution during respiratory infections. Non-pharmacological remedies are very popular and usually have no relevant side effects. Bacterial and natural products may potentiate the immune system against respiratory viruses. Moreover, these compounds also exert antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity. Consequently, these non-chemical remedies could be prescribed to build up the immune defence and adequately treat the upper respiratory infection. In this way, natural compounds could be used to manage people in the pandemic COVID-19 era.