Frequency of serious bacterial infections in young infants with and without viral respiratory infections

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.

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Antivirals for Virus Induced Exacerbations of Asthma and COPD Treatment

ARS Medica Tomitana ◽

10.2478/arsm-2018-0027 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 152-156

Author(s):

Grigorescu Cristina ◽

Antoniu Sabina Antonela ◽

Oţelea Marina Ruxandra ◽

Ileana Antohe ◽

Fildan Ariadna Petronela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Copd Exacerbations ◽

Starting Point ◽

Viral Respiratory Infections ◽

Potential Use ◽

Viral Respiratory

Abstract Viral respiratory infections in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause severe exacerbations, increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infections and having a significant impact on disease-related morbidity and mortality. Several antivirals such as oseltamivir and zanamivir evaluated in influenza and other virus-induced respiratory infections are discussed in this review as a starting point of their potential use in improving the outcome of asthma and COPD exacerbations. However, the efficacy of antiviral therapy for asthma/COPD exacerbations needs a further evaluation.

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Resurgence in Italy: The Need to Protect All Neonates and Young Infants

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19010380 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 380

Author(s):

Elena Bozzola

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Young Infants ◽

Wide Range ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Viral Respiratory Infections ◽

Viral Respiratory

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most prevalent cause of viral respiratory infections in children up to the age of 2 years and causes a wide range of clinical manifestations [...]

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Clinical evidences on the antiviral properties of macrolide antibiotics in the COVID-19 era and beyond

Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1177/2040206620961712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 204020662096171

Author(s):

Dimitri Poddighe ◽

Mohamad Aljofan

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Lactone Ring ◽

Macrolide Antibiotics ◽

Direct Benefit ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Viral Respiratory Infections ◽

Associated Species ◽

Viral Respiratory

Macrolides are a large group of antibiotics characterised by the presence of a macro-lactone ring of variable size. The prototype of macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin was first produced by Streptomyces and associated species more than half a century ago; other related drugs were developed. These drugs have been shown to have several pharmacological properties: in addition to their antibiotic activity, they possess some anti-inflammatory properties and have been also considered against non-bacterial infections. In this review, we analysed the available clinical evidences regarding the potential anti-viral activity of macrolides, by focusing on erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin. Overall, there is no significant evidences so far that macrolides might have a direct benefit on most of viral infections considered in this review (RSV, Influenza, coronaviruses, Ebola and Zika viruses). However, their clinical benefit cannot be ruled out without further and focused clinical studies. Macrolides may improve the clinical course of viral respiratory infections somehow, at least through indirect mechanisms relying on some and variable anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory effects, in addition to their well-known antibacterial activity.

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Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10081006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1006

Author(s):

Karyne Rangel ◽

Thiago Pavoni Gomes Chagas ◽

Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone

Keyword(s):

Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Secondary Infection ◽

Immune Dysfunction ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Viral Respiratory Infections ◽

Over Time ◽

Viral Respiratory

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an overuse of antimicrobials in critically ill patients. Acinetobacter baumannii frequently causes nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where the incidence has increased over time. Since the WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic on 12 March 2020, the disease has spread rapidly, and many of the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 needed to be admitted to the ICU. Bacterial co-pathogens are commonly identified in viral respiratory infections and are important causes of morbidity and mortality. However, we cannot neglect the increased incidence of antimicrobial resistance, which may be attributed to the excess use of antimicrobial agents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with COVID-19 could be vulnerable to other infections owing to multiple comorbidities with severe COVID-19, prolonged hospitalization, and SARS-CoV-2-associated immune dysfunction. These patients have acquired secondary bacterial infections or superinfections, mainly bacteremia and urinary tract infections. This review will summarize the prevalence of A. baumannii coinfection and secondary infection in patients with COVID-19.

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