Prophylactic intranasal administration of a TLR2 agonist reduces upper respiratory tract viral shedding in a SARS-CoV-2 challenge ferret model

AbstractRespiratory viruses such as coronaviruses represent major ongoing global threats, causing epidemics and pandemics with huge economic burden. Rapid spread of virus through populations poses an enormous challenge for outbreak control. Like all respiratory viruses, the most recent novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, initiates infection in the upper respiratory tract (URT). Infected individuals are often asymptomatic, yet highly infectious and readily transmit virus. A therapy that restricts initial replication in the URT has the potential to prevent progression of severe lower respiratory tract disease as well as limiting person-to-person transmission.We show that prophylactic intra-nasal administration of the TLR2/6 agonist INNA-051 in a SARS-CoV-2 ferret infection model effectively reduces levels of viral RNA in the nose and throat. The results of our study support clinical development of a therapy based on prophylactic TLR2/6 innate immune activation in the URT to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission and provide protection against COVID-19.

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Retrospective study of fatal pneumonia in racehorses

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/1040638717717290 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 450-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Francisco R. Carvallo ◽

Francisco A. Uzal ◽

Santiago S. Diab ◽

Ashley E. Hill ◽

Rick M. Arthur

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Animal Health ◽

Anaerobic Bacteria ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Postmortem Diagnosis ◽

Lower Respiratory Tract Disease ◽

Streptococcus Equi ◽

Pulmonary Parenchyma ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Disease

Respiratory diseases have a major impact on racehorses in training and are often cited as the second most common reason of horses failing to perform. Cases were submitted by the California Horse Racing Board to the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory for postmortem examination between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2014. We determined the demographics of racehorses with fatal pneumonia, characterized the pathologic findings in animals with a postmortem diagnosis of respiratory infection, and determined the most significant pathogens associated with lower respiratory tract disease. We analyzed autopsy reports from 83 horses with a diagnosis of pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, and/or pleuropneumonia. The most common presentation was pleuropneumonia (71% of cases), with extensive areas of lytic necrosis and abscesses of the pulmonary parenchyma. Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus, a normal mucosal commensal of the upper respiratory tract of healthy horses, was the most commonly isolated organism (72% of cases), either in pure culture or accompanied by other aerobic or anaerobic bacteria. Its presence in the pulmonary parenchyma is associated with severe and extensive damage to the lung. Furthermore, this agent has zoonotic potential, which stresses the importance of early detection and proper management of cases of pneumonia in racehorses.

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How to use…respiratory viral studies

Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2016-311858 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 104 (5) ◽

pp. 274-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Simon B Drysdale ◽

Dominic F Kelly

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Lower Respiratory Tract Disease ◽

Clinical Syndromes ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Disease ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Viral Respiratory

Viral respiratory tract infections are the most common infections of childhood. They result in clinical syndromes ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe lower respiratory tract disease requiring intensive care. Respiratory viruses are most commonly identified from a respiratory swab or nasopharyngeal aspirate by real-time PCR, which has a very high sensitivity and specificity. In this article, we review when and how children should be tested for viral respiratory tract infections and how to interpret the result in context of the clinical picture.

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