The present invention is directed to a novel probiotic oronasopharyngeal formulation of spray-dried bacteria comprising saccharides as protectants, for administration in the oronasopharyngeal cavity. Resuscitation of the formulation of the present invention gives rise to rapid deployable and viable microorganisms with preserved antimicrobial activity, and was found particularly useful for nasopharyngeal administration to treat respiratory conditions in humans and animals. In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to the probiotic microorganisms used in the aforementioned formulation. As evident from the examples hereinafter, spray-dried compositions comprising Lactobacillus strains, in particular comprising Lactobacillus rhamnosus proved optimal in the oronasopharyngeal applications of the present invention. The application also provides the use of Lactobacillus strains as anti-pathogenic and antibiofilm agents, in particular against the common nasopharyngeal pathogens (whereby produced acids such as lactic acid are important antimicrobial factors). Also disclosed are the processes associated with the manufacture of the spray-dried probiotic formulations of the present invention, as well as the use thereof in treating or preventing of infections of the oronasopharyngeal cavity.