Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 2022/01, 20(1):23-31. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1935236, type of study: ,rev,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14787210.2021.1935236)

Keywords:

adjunctive therapy [3]
complementary therapy [3]
immunity [6]
infection [52]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
OMT [3924]
outcomes [14]
review [753]

Abstract:

Introduction: As the prevalence of drug-resistant infections continues to outpace the development of new antibiotics, we must explore all reasonable options for enhancing the effectiveness of existing anti-infectives. The emergence of novel pathogens without initial drug treatments or vaccines, typified by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic, further underscores the need for non-pharmacologic adjunctive measures for infection management. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) may represent such an adjunct. Areas Covered: PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Cochrane databases and relevant chapters of major osteopathic texts were searched for animal experiments, case reports, observational studies, non-randomized, and randomized trials pertaining to infection, OMT, and the complications or safety of OMT. OMT was associated with one or more of the following: decreased bacterial colony counts in lung tissue; changes in immunologic profiles manifested by significant differences dendritic cells and levels of IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1a, and G-CSF; shorter durations of IV antibiotics; decreased length of hospitalization; decreased rates of respiratory failure and death; decreased post-surgical lengths of stay; and enhanced patient satisfaction. Expert Opinion: Preliminary, lower-grade evidence suggests that OMT can improve some infection-related outcomes, and is safe. The role of OMT in infection management should undergo further controlled trials without delay.