Surveillance of respiratory viral infections by rapid immunofluorescence diagnosis, with emphasis on virus interference

SUMMARYDuring the 7-year period from September 1978 to August 1985, smear specimens of nasopharyngeal secretions from 3132 patients mainly hospitalized children, taken in different regions in Norway, were examined for respiratory viruses by the rapid immunofluorescence (IF) technique. A positive diagnosis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus type 1, 2 and 3 or influenza A and B virus was made for 896 patients (29%). The greatest prevalence for all these viruses was observed during the colder months with only sporadic cases during the summer months. A relative increase in parainfluenza virus activity, involving several parainfluenza virus types, was observed in every second autumn and during these periods only sporadic cases of RSV infection were diagnosed. Also both RSV and parainfluenza viruses were less frequently found during influenza virus epidemics and regional differences in RSV activity were observed. During the four autumn periods 1982–85 the monthly number of positive virus identifications by IF followed an epidemic curve, while the corresponding number of negative samples was relatively constant. The results of this study suggest interference between RSV, parainfluenza viruses and influenza virus in reaching their epidemiological peaks. It is suggested that interferon might be a mediator of this effect.

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DETECTION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS AND PATHOGENS OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS IN POPULATION OF KAZAKHSTAN DURING 2018-2019 EPIDEMIC SEASON

Russian Journal of Infection and Immunity ◽

10.15789/2220-7619-doi-1348 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

N. G. Klivleyeva ◽

N. S. Ongarbayeva ◽

A. M. Baimukhametova ◽

N. T. Saktaganov ◽

G. V. Lukmanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Type B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Parainfluenza Viruses ◽

Syncytial Virus

Influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections are the most common contemporary infectious diseases resulting in prominent harm to human health and great economic damage. At least five groups of viruses including more than 300 subtypes are currently referred to ARVI pathogens. Such infectious agents are characterized by variability resulting in their altered antigenic characteristics, increased contagiousness, "evasion from immune response and resistance to antivirals. Relevance of influenza and other ARVIs is also accounted for by rapid development of bacteria-associated respiratory diseases. Continuous variability of influenza viruses and emergence of new ARVI pathogens pose a serious threat. In recent years, a simultaneous circulation of subtype A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) influenza viruses with a predominance of a pandemic strain as well as type B viruses have been observed. Among the causative agents of non-influenza ARVIs, respiratory syncytial virus, rhino- and adenoviruses, and I/III parainfluenza viruses are recorded most often. Here we present the data of virology and serological examination of clinical samples collected during the 2018 – 2019 epidemic season in the Republic of Kazakhstan. For this, 2794 clinical samples (2530 nasopharyngeal swabs and 264 blood serums) were collected from patients diagnosed with ARVI, ARI, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs for detection of influenza by RT-PCR demonstrated that mixed etiology influenza viruses with predominance of A/H1N1pdm virus circulated in Kazakhstan. The genetic fingerprints of influenza virus were found in 511 swabs (20.20% of total examined samples). Influenza A virus RNA was detected in 508 biological samples: A/H1N1 – in 289, A/H3N2 – in 209, and unidentified virus subtype in 10 samples. Type B influenza virus was detected in 3 samples. Study of 264 serum samples by HAI assay and ELISA showed emergence of antibodies against influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B viruses in residents from various regions of Kazakhstan that indirectly confirmed co-circulation of these viruses. 42 influenza virus strains were isolated in chicken embryos, from which 28 were assigned to A/H1N1pdm virus, 13 to A/H3N2 virus, and one isolate was identified as influenza B virus. Laboratory diagnostics of clinical samples for ARVIs established that among identified non-influenza agents respiratory syncytial virus dominated, while rhinoviruses and adenoviruses were less common. Metapneumoviruses, bocaviruses, coronaviruses, and type I parainfluenza viruses were detected in few cases. Comparison of study data with those obtained after examining circulation of influenza viruses during the 2017 – 2018 epidemic season showed that in 2018 – 2019 in Kazakhstan similar to the previous epidemic season, influenza A and B viruses continued to circulate, with prevalence of A/H1N1pdm virus. Identification of non-influenza viruses causing respiratory infections in 2018 – 2019 showed predominance of respiratory syncytial virus, which correlated with data on the 2017 – 2018 epidemic season.

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Live Bivalent Vaccine for Parainfluenza and Influenza Virus Infections

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.79.11.6674-6679.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 79 (11) ◽

pp. 6674-6679 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Yasuko Maeda ◽

Masato Hatta ◽

Ayato Takada ◽

Tokiko Watanabe ◽

Hideo Goto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Reverse Genetics ◽

Parainfluenza Virus ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Coding Region ◽

Lethal Challenge ◽

Bivalent Vaccine ◽

Parainfluenza Viruses ◽

Human Parainfluenza Virus

ABSTRACT Influenza and human parainfluenza virus infections are of both medical and economical importance. Currently, inactivated vaccines provide suboptimal protection against influenza, and vaccines for human parainfluenza virus infection are not available, underscoring the need for new vaccines against these respiratory diseases. Furthermore, to reduce the burden of vaccination, the development of multivalent vaccines is highly desirable. Thus, to devise a single vaccine that would elicit immune responses against both influenza and parainfluenza viruses, we used reverse genetics to generate an influenza A virus that possesses the coding region for the hemagglutinin/neuraminidase ectodomain of parainfluenza virus instead of the influenza virus neuraminidase. The recombinant virus grew efficiently in eggs but was attenuated in mice. When intranasally immunized with the recombinant vaccine, all mice developed antibodies against both influenza and parainfluenza viruses and survived an otherwise lethal challenge with either of these viruses. This live bivalent vaccine has obvious advantages over combination vaccines, and its method of generation could, in principle, be applied in the development of a “cocktail” vaccine with efficacy against several different infectious diseases.

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Etiology of Coinfections in Children with Influenza during 2015/16 Winter Season in Nepal

International Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1155/2018/8945142 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bishnu Prasad Upadhyay ◽

Megha Raj Banjara ◽

Ram Krishna Shrestha ◽

Masato Tashiro ◽

Prakash Ghimire

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Winter Season ◽

Parainfluenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Pathogen ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Syncytial Virus

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are one of the major public health problems in developing countries like Nepal. Besides the influenza, several other pathogens are responsible for acute respiratory infection in children. Etiology of infections is poorly characterized at the course of clinical management, and hence empirical antimicrobial agents are used. The objective of this study was to characterize the influenza and other respiratory pathogens by real-time PCR assay. A total of 175 throat swab specimens of influenza-positive cases collected at National Influenza Center, Nepal, during the 2015/16 winter season were selected for detecting other respiratory copathogens. Total nucleic acid was extracted using Pure Link viral RNA/DNA mini kit (Invitrogen), and multiplex RT-PCR assays were performed. Influenza A and B viruses were found in 120 (68.6%) and 55 (31.4%) specimens, respectively, among which coinfections were found in 106 (60.6%) specimens. Among the influenza A-positive cases, 25 (20.8%) were A/H1N1 pdm09 and 95 (79.2%) were A/H3 subtypes. Viruses coinfected frequently with influenza virus in children were rhinovirus (26; 14.8%), respiratory syncytial virus A/B (19; 10.8%), adenovirus (14; 8.0%), coronavirus (CoV)-HKU1 (14; 8.0%), CoV-OC43 (5; 2.9%), CoV-229E (2; 1.1%), metapneumovirus A/B (5; 2.9%), bocavirus (6; 3.4%), enterovirus (5; 2.9%), parainfluenza virus-1 (3; 1.7%), and parainfluenza virus-3 (2; 1.1%). Coinfection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae with influenza virus was found in children (5; 2.8%). Most of the viral infection occurred in young children below 5 years of age. In addition to influenza virus, nine different respiratory pathogens were detected, of which coinfections of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus A/B were predominantly found in children. This study gives us better information on the respiratory pathogen profile and coinfection combinations which are important for diagnosis and treatment of ARIs.

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“Tiryaq Arba” (a Polyherbal Unani Formulation) as Prophylactic Medicine Against Epidemics of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections

Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health ◽

10.5812/mejrh.102965 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Shabnam Ansari ◽

Ijhar Ahmad ◽

Mahboob Ali ◽

Mohd. Maaz

Keyword(s):

Influenza A Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Parainfluenza Virus ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Gentiana Lutea ◽

Respiratory Viral Infections ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Type 3

: “Tiryaq Arba” is a polyherbal Unani formulation in a majoon dosage form that contains four herbal ingredients, namely habbul ghar (Laurus nobilis), juntiyana romi (Gentiana lutea), murr maki (Commiphora myrrha), and zarawand taweel (Aristolochia longa). The medicine has been used as an antidote against different poisons and as a prophylactic medicine before and/or during epidemics. The constituents have been proposed to act as anti-infective, anti-microbial, and antidote against various infectious agents during epidemics (waba). Scientific experimentation of the above-mentioned constituents has also reinforced their beneficial antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties against epidemics of acute respiratory viral infections such as; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), adenovirus, influenza and influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus infections, parainfluenza virus, human rhinovirus B, coxsackievirus, parainfluenza virus type 3, Newcastle disease virus, and influenza A virus, which are a greater cause for morbidity and mortality faced by the world, earlier and at present.

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Bacteria and Viral Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections of Children Attending Yangon Children’s Hospital and Yankin Children’s Hospital

Myanmar Health Sciences Research Journal ◽

10.34299/mhsrj.00921 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 44-51

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Antibiotic Sensitivity ◽

Parainfluenza Virus ◽

Sensitivity Testing ◽

E Coli ◽

Children's Hospital ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection ◽

Children’S Hospital ◽

Syncytial Virus

Objectives of study are (1) to reinforce the national capacity for diagnosis and antibiogram of some infectious diseases causing severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and (2) to build a network between hospital and laboratory for the diagnosis and surveillance of SARI in Yangon. This study is a crosssectional hospital- and laboratory-based descriptive study. A total of 825 samples including respiratory samples and blood samples from 511 children attending Yangon Children’s Hospital and Yankin Children’s Hospital from December 2014 to April 2016 for treatment of SARI were included. Identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing were done using Vitek 2. Out of 129 gram-negative bacilli (GNB), K. pneumoniae 32%, P. aeruginosa 18%, A. baumannii 13%, E. coli 9% were mostly isolated. Among 35 gram-positive cocci (GPC), S. aureus 42% and S. pneumoniae 6% were mostly isolated. Multidrug resistance rates were E. coli 100%, K. pneumoniae 95%, A. baumanii 82% and P. aeruginosa 17%. Extended-spectrum beta-latamase (ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli was 6 out of 10 tested organisms. Carbarpenemase-producing GNB and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were 21% and 33%, respectively. Virology section tested 529 samples of 490 patients using the FTD33 Multiplex PCR method which can detect 33 pathogens including 20 viruses, 12 bacteria and 1 fungus. Out of 490 patients, 374 were PCR positive. Different types of samples including nasopharyngeal, throat, endotracheal and laryngeal swab, tracheal secretion and bronchoalveolar lavage, were tested. Out of 566 viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (19.3%), rhinovirus (17.0%), parechovirus (14.3%), bocavirus (11.1%), adenovirus (10.2%), metapneumo-virus A and B (10.2%), parainfluenza virus (5.7%), enterovirus (3.0%), influenza A virus (2.8%), coronavirus (4%), parainfluenza virus (0.9%) and influenza C virus (0.4%) were detected. This study highlighted the etiological agents of bacteria, viruses and drug-resistant bacterial pathogens in SARI.

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Thapsigargin Is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Major Human Respiratory Viruses: Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza A Virus

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 234

Author(s):

Sarah Al-Beltagi ◽

Cristian Alexandru Preda ◽

Leah V. Goulding ◽

Joe James ◽

Juan Pu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Broad Spectrum ◽

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Virus Challenge ◽

2009 H1n1 ◽

Syncytial Virus

The long-term control strategy of SARS-CoV-2 and other major respiratory viruses needs to include antivirals to treat acute infections, in addition to the judicious use of effective vaccines. Whilst COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out for mass vaccination, the modest number of antivirals in use or development for any disease bears testament to the challenges of antiviral development. We recently showed that non-cytotoxic levels of thapsigargin (TG), an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase pump, induces a potent host innate immune antiviral response that blocks influenza A virus replication. Here we show that TG is also highly effective in blocking the replication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), common cold coronavirus OC43, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus in immortalized or primary human cells. TG’s antiviral performance was significantly better than remdesivir and ribavirin in their respective inhibition of OC43 and RSV. Notably, TG was just as inhibitory to coronaviruses (OC43 and SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses (USSR H1N1 and pdm 2009 H1N1) in separate infections as in co-infections. Post-infection oral gavage of acid-stable TG protected mice against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Together with its ability to inhibit the different viruses before or during active infection, and with an antiviral duration of at least 48 h post-TG exposure, we propose that TG (or its derivatives) is a promising broad-spectrum inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2, OC43, RSV and influenza virus.

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Bacterial and Viral Coinfections with the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9061293 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 1293

Author(s):

Gaspar A. Pacheco ◽

Nicolás M. S. Gálvez ◽

Jorge A. Soto ◽

Catalina A. Andrade ◽

Alexis M. Kalergis

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Parainfluenza Viruses ◽

Starting Point ◽

The Social ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Polymicrobial Infections

The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is one of the leading causes of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under five years old. Notably, hRSV infections can give way to pneumonia and predispose to other respiratory complications later in life, such as asthma. Even though the social and economic burden associated with hRSV infections is tremendous, there are no approved vaccines to date to prevent the disease caused by this pathogen. Recently, coinfections and superinfections have turned into an active field of study, and interactions between many viral and bacterial pathogens have been studied. hRSV is not an exception since polymicrobial infections involving this virus are common, especially when illness has evolved into pneumonia. Here, we review the epidemiology and recent findings regarding the main polymicrobial infections involving hRSV and several prevalent bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, human rhinoviruses, influenza A virus, human metapneumovirus, and human parainfluenza viruses. As reports of most polymicrobial infections involving hRSV lack a molecular basis explaining the interaction between hRSV and these pathogens, we believe this review article can serve as a starting point to interesting and very much needed research in this area.

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Clinical use of Antiviral Drugs

Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacy ◽

10.1177/106002808702100501 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 399-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Milap C. Nahata

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Antiviral Agent ◽

Antiviral Drugs ◽

Investigational Drug ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Herpes Encephalitis ◽

Herpes Simplex Viruses ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Syncytial Virus

Remarkable progress has been made in antiviral chemotherapy. Six approved antiviral drugs are now available for the treatment of various viral infections. Trifluridine, idoxuridine and vidarabine are all effective in patients with herpes keratitis; trifluridine is preferred due to its low toxicity. Acyclovir is the drug of choice in patients with infections due to herpes simplex viruses, including genital herpes, herpes encephalitis, and neonatal herpes, and infections due to varicella-zoster virus. Amantadine is the only drug currently available for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A, but an investigational drug, rimantadine, appears to be equally effective and less toxic than amantadine. Ribavirin is the most recently approved antiviral agent for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections. Numerous antiviral drugs are being studied in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Although currently available drugs have improved our ability to manage a variety of viral illnesses, much needs to be learned about specific dosage guidelines based on the studies of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, potential adverse effects and viral resistance, and the role of combination therapy to optimize therapy.

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Characterization of recombinant influenza A virus as a vector expressing respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein epitopes

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.064105-0 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 95 (9) ◽

pp. 1886-1891 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Peirui Zhang ◽

Hongjing Gu ◽

Chengrong Bian ◽

Na Liu ◽

Zhiwei Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Cell Line ◽

Nuclear Export ◽

Influenza A ◽

Haemagglutination Inhibition ◽

The Elderly ◽

Ns Gene ◽

Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of respiratory infection in infants and the elderly, and no vaccine against this virus has yet been licensed. Here, we report a recombinant PR8 influenza virus with the RSV fusion (F) protein epitopes of the subgroup A gene inserted into the influenza virus non-structural (NS) gene (rFlu/RSV/F) that was generated as an RSV vaccine candidate. The rescued viruses were assessed by microscopy and Western blotting. The proper expression of NS1, the NS gene product, and the nuclear export protein (NEP) of rFlu/RSV/F was also investigated using an immunofluorescent assay. The rescued virus replicated well in the MDCK kidney cell line, A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line and CNE-2Z nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line. BALB/c mice immunized intranasally with rFlu/RSV/F had specific haemagglutination inhibition antibody responses against the PR8 influenza virus and RSV neutralization test proteins. Furthermore, intranasal immunization with rFlu/RSV/F elicited T helper type 1-dominant cytokine profiles against the RSV strain A2 virus. Taken together, our findings suggested that rFlu/RSV/F was immunogenic in vivo and warrants further development as a promising candidate vaccine.

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