RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS AND INFLUENZA A VIRUS INFECTIONS BY IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE: EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF CELL SMEARS FROM NASOPHARYNGEAL SECRETIONS

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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Protective Efficacy and Immunogenicity of a Combinatory DNA Vaccine against Influenza A Virus and the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0072217 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. e72217 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Viktoria Stab ◽

Sandra Nitsche ◽

Thomas Niezold ◽

Michael Storcksdieck genannt Bonsmann ◽

Andrea Wiechers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Dna Vaccine ◽

Influenza A ◽

Protective Efficacy ◽

Syncytial Virus

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Exacerbation of Influenza A Virus Disease Severity by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Co-Infection in a Mouse Model

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13081630 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1630 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Junu A. George ◽

Shaikha H. AlShamsi ◽

Maryam H. Alhammadi ◽

Ahmed R. Alsuwaidi

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Viral Loads ◽

Syncytial Virus

Influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are leading causes of childhood infections. RSV and influenza are competitive in vitro. In this study, the in vivo effects of RSV and IAV co-infection were investigated. Mice were intranasally inoculated with RSV, with IAV, or with both viruses (RSV+IAV and IAV+RSV) administered sequentially, 24 h apart. On days 3 and 7 post-infection, lung tissues were processed for viral loads and immune cell populations. Lung functions were also evaluated. Mortality was observed only in the IAV+RSV group (50% of mice did not survive beyond 7 days). On day 3, the viral loads in single-infected and co-infected mice were not significantly different. However, on day 7, the IAV titer was much higher in the IAV+RSV group, and the RSV viral load was reduced. CD4 T cells were reduced in all groups on day 7 except in single-infected mice. CD8 T cells were higher in all experimental groups except the RSV-alone group. Increased airway resistance and reduced thoracic compliance were demonstrated in both co-infected groups. This model indicates that, among all the infection types we studied, infection with IAV followed by RSV is associated with the highest IAV viral loads and the most morbidity and mortality.

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A comparison of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections among infants admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s0022172400055765 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 383-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

E. O. Caul ◽

D. K. Waller ◽

S. K. R. Clarke ◽

B. D. Corner

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

One Year

SUMMARYAmong 741 children under 5 years admitted to hospital with respiratory infections during two winters, infection with influenza A virus was diagnosed in 70 (9%), with influenza B virus in 8 (1%), and with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 259 (35 %). Both influenza virus and RSV infections were diagnosed most frequently in children under the age of one year, and diagnosed more frequently in males than females. Influenza illnesses were more severe in boys than girls. Both infections occurred more often, but were not more severe, in children from a conurbation than in those from ‘rural’ areas. Convulsions were the cause of 36% of admissions with influenza A infections, but were rare in RSV infections. Bronchiolitis was the reason for 39% of admissions with RSV infections, but was rare in influenza infections. It is suggested that infants admitted to hospital are a good source of influenza virus strains for monitoring arttigenic variation.

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