scholarly journals Prematurity alters the progenitor cell program of the upper respiratory tract of neonates

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica E. Shui ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Helu Liu ◽  
Anna Stepanova ◽  
Grace Liao ◽  
...  

AbstractThe impact of prematurity on human development and neonatal diseases, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, has been widely reported. However, little is known about the effects of prematurity on the programs of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation of the upper respiratory epithelium, which is key for adaptation to neonatal life. We developed a minimally invasive methodology for isolation of neonatal basal cells from nasopharyngeal (NP) aspirates and performed functional analysis in organotypic cultures to address this issue. We show that preterm NP progenitors have a markedly distinct molecular signature of abnormal proliferation and mitochondria quality control compared to term progenitors. Preterm progenitors had lower oxygen consumption at baseline and were unable to ramp up consumption to the levels of term cells when challenged. Although they formed a mucociliary epithelium, ciliary function tended to decline in premature cells as they differentiated, compared to term cells. Together, these differences suggested increased sensitivity of preterm progenitors to environmental stressors under non-homeostatic conditions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magen E. Francis ◽  
Brian Richardson ◽  
Una Goncin ◽  
Mara McNeil ◽  
Melissa Rioux ◽  
...  

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) hospitalizations and deaths disportionally affect males and older ages. Here we investigated the impact of male sex and age comparing sex-matched or age-matched ferrets infected with SARS-CoV-2. Differences in temperature regulation was identified for male ferrets which was accompanied by prolonged viral replication in the upper respiratory tract after infection. Gene expression analysis of the nasal turbinates indicated that 1-year-old female ferrets had significant increases in interferon response genes post infection which were delayed in males. These results provide insight into COVID-19 and suggests that older males may play a role in viral transmission due to decreased antiviral responses.


Author(s):  
Larissa May ◽  
Grant Tatro ◽  
Eduard Poltavskiy ◽  
Benjamin Mooso ◽  
Simson Hon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute upper respiratory tract infections are a common cause of Emergency Department (ED) visits and often result in unnecessary antibiotic treatment.  Methods We conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the impact of a rapid, multi-pathogen respiratory panel (RP) test versus usual care (control). Patients were eligible if they were ≥12 months old, had symptoms of upper respiratory infection or influenza like illness, and were not on antibiotics. The primary outcome was antibiotic prescription; secondary outcomes included antiviral prescription, disposition, and length of stay (ClinicalTrials.gov# NCT02957136). Results Of 191 patients enrolled, 93 (49%) received RP testing; 98 (51%) received usual care. Fifty-three (57%) RP and 7 (7%) control patients had a virus detected and reported during the ED visit (p=0.0001). Twenty (22%) RP patients and 33 (34%) usual care patients received antibiotics during the ED visit (-12% [95% CI -25%, 0.4%]; p=0.06/0.08); 9 RP patients received antibiotics despite having a virus detected. The magnitude of antibiotic reduction was greater in children (-19%) versus adults (-9%; post-hoc analysis). There was no difference in antiviral use, length of stay, or disposition. Conclusions Rapid RP testing was associated with a trend towards decreased antibiotic use, suggesting a potential benefit from more rapid viral tests in the ED. Future studies should determine if specific groups are more likely to benefit from testing and evaluate relative cost and effectiveness of broad testing, focused testing, and a combined diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten C. Eberle ◽  
Samantha J. Hau ◽  
Shi-Lu Luan ◽  
Lucy A. Weinert ◽  
Judith A. Stasko ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis is a commensal bacterium of the upper respiratory tract in pigs and also the causative agent of Glässer’s disease, which causes significant morbidity and mortality in pigs worldwide. Isolates are characterized into 15 serovars by their capsular polysaccharide, which has shown a correlation with isolate pathogenicity. To investigate the role the capsule plays in G. parasuis virulence and host interaction, a capsule mutant of the serovar 5 strain HS069 was generated (HS069Δcap) through allelic exchange following natural transformation. HS069Δcap was unable to cause signs of systemic disease during a pig challenge study and had increased sensitivity to complement killing and phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages. Compared with the parent strain, HS069Δcap produced more robust biofilm and adhered equivalently to 3D4/31 cells; however, it was unable to persistently colonize the nasal cavity of inoculated pigs, with all pigs clearing HS069Δcap by 5 days postchallenge. Our results indicate the importance of the capsular polysaccharide to G. parasuis virulence as well as nasal colonization in pigs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (9) ◽  
pp. 800-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Shemesh ◽  
S Tamir ◽  
A Goldfarb ◽  
T Ezri ◽  
Y Roth

AbstractBackground:Upper respiratory tract infection is the most common non-preventable cause of surgery cancellation. Consequently, surgeons and anaesthesiologists involved in elective ENT surgical procedures frequently face a dilemma of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery in affected children.Methods:A literature review was conducted and a practical assessment algorithm proposed.Conclusion:The risk–benefit assessment should take into consideration the impact of postponing the surgery intended to bring relief to the child and the risks of proceeding with general anaesthesia in an inflamed airway. The suggested algorithm for assessment may be a useful tool to support the decision of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
I. Garaiova ◽  
Z. Paduchová ◽  
Z. Nagyová ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
D.R. Michael ◽  
...  

In a double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, healthy school children aged 3-10 years received a probiotic based supplement daily for 6 months to assess the impact on the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. The intervention comprised Lab4 probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21 and CUL60, Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CUL34) at 12.5 billion cfu/day plus 50 mg vitamin C or a matching placebo. 171 children were included in the analysis (85 in placebo and 86 in active group). Incidence of coughing was 16% (P=0.0300) significantly lower in the children receiving the active intervention compared to the placebo. No significant differences in the incidence rate of other URTI symptoms were observed. There was significantly lower risk of experiencing five different URTI related symptoms in one day favouring the active group (Risk ratio: 0.31, 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.81, P=0.0163). Absenteeism from school and the use of antibiotics was also significantly reduced for those in the active group (-16%, P=0.0060 and -27%, P=0.0203, respectively). Our findings indicate that six months daily supplementation with the Lab4 probiotic and vitamin C combination reduces the incidence of coughing, absenteeism and antibiotic usage in 3 to 10 year old children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Ślęzak ◽  
Łukasz Dembiński ◽  
Artur Konefał ◽  
Mikołaj Dąbrowski ◽  
Artur Mazur ◽  
...  

Antibiotic therapy must be carried out consistently and according to the guidelines. Viruses are the dominant cause of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children, as has been shown in many previous studies. Unnecessary antibiotic therapy should be avoided so that it does not affect patients' health and lead to the development of resistant bacterial strains. Here we report a national survey conducted in a group of 4,389 children to assess the impact of selected behavioral and environmental factors on antibiotic therapy in patients with URTIs. We found that selected environmental factors influenced the type of treatment. The place of residence, having siblings, an absence of vaccinations, the presence of allergies, and attendance at educational institutions were conducive to antibiotic therapy. These factors also influenced the frequency of hospitalization of children and their absence from nurseries, kindergartens, and schools, as well as the absence of their guardians from work.


2020 ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
V. V. Shilenkova

Introduction. A biofilm is a community of bacteria embedded in a matrix consisting of polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and proteins. Biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, antiseptics, and immune defense factors of the human body. Currently, the role of bacterial biofilms in the pathogenesis of chronic infections is known. There are a lot of articles confirming the detection of biofilms in diseases of the upper respiratory tract and ear: adenoiditis, recurrent and chronic otitis, laryngitis.Biofilms and Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS). Biofilms can play a significant role in prolonging inflammation in the paranasal sinuses. Biofilms are found in 76.7% of patients with CRS. This fact can serve as one of the explanations for the refractoriness of drug therapy and recurrent inflammations after surgical treatment.Methods for Controlling Biofilms. Is there a Way Out? As part of the strategy of removing biofilm, it is important to destroy its structure to planktonic forms, which will allow for the process of managing CRS progress. Antibiotic therapy alone is considered insufficient. Nasal irrigation can provide a violation of the biofilm integrity due to the mechanical destruction of its matrix and have a significant impact on the outcome of the disease. The nasal irrigation preparation containing isotonic sea water solution added with carbon dioxide (CO2-0.4%) has such an effect. In an experimental study, it was shown that 98% of the bacteria were non-viable when processing Staphylococus aureus biofilm.Conclusion. The impact on biofilms should be complex, including medication, physical means, irrigation of the nasal cavity.


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