scholarly journals Eicosanoids and Respiratory Viral Infection: Coordinators of Inflammation and Potential Therapeutic Targets

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary K. McCarthy ◽  
Jason B. Weinberg

Viruses are frequent causes of respiratory infection, and viral respiratory infections are significant causes of hospitalization, morbidity, and sometimes mortality in a variety of patient populations. Lung inflammation induced by infection with common respiratory pathogens such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus is accompanied by increased lung production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, lipid mediators with a wide range of effects on host immune function. Deficiency or pharmacologic inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene production often results in a dampened inflammatory response to acute infection with a respiratory virus. These mediators may, therefore, serve as appealing therapeutic targets for disease caused by respiratory viral infection.

Author(s):  
Elena Bozzola

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 [...]


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amos C. Lee ◽  
Yunjin Jeong ◽  
Sumin Lee ◽  
Haewook Jang ◽  
Allen Zheng ◽  
...  

In addition to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, emerging viruses that cause respiratory viral infections will continue to arise. Increasing evidence suggests a delayed, possibly suppressed, type 1 interferon (IFN-I) response occurs early during COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections such as SARS and MERS. These observations prompt considering IFN-β as a prophylactic or early intervention for respiratory viral infections. A rationale for developing and testing intranasal interferon beta (IFN-β) as an immediately available intervention for new respiratory viral infections that will arise unexpectedly in the future is presented and supported by basic and clinical trial observations. IFN-β prophylaxis could limit the spread and consequences of an emerging respiratory viral infection in at-risk individuals while specific vaccines are being developed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S920-S920
Author(s):  
Nellie Said ◽  
Wendi Gornick ◽  
Beth Huff ◽  
Jasjit Singh

Abstract Background Viral respiratory infections are a major cause of hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission to children’s hospitals. Rates of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are closely tracked due to their known morbidity. We had previously observed over one season that human metapneumovirus (hMPV)-infected children have high rates of hospitalizations and ICU admissions, particularly those with chronic lung disease (CLD). We expanded our data to include an additional 5 seasons to compare rates of hospitalizations and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) due to hMPV, RSV and influenza. Methods During the 2014–2019 winter viral seasons, hMPV, RSV and influenza infections were tracked through both PCR testing (Biofire Respiratory Panel) and DFA testing (D3 Ultra DFA Respiratory Virus Screening & ID Kit; Diagnostic Hybrids). For hMPV admissions, rates of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, HAIs and mortalities were assessed and compared with RSV and influenza admissions. Retrospective data were used to study patients infected with hMPV. Results During the winter seasons of 2014–2019, the rates of hospitalization due to hMPV were significantly higher than both RSV and influenza (Figure 1). ICU admissions and HAIs for hMPV were similar to RSV and influenza (Figures 2 and 3). There were 9 deaths over this time period; 5 due to RSV, 3 due to influenza and 1 due to hMPV. The proportion of deaths due to hMPV compared with RSV and influenza was similar (P = 0.54, 0.89, respectively). Of the 315 total admissions with hMPV, 43 (13.7%) had CLD and 13 (4.1%) were tracheostomy dependent. Among 67 hMPV ICU admissions from 2014–2019, 56 (84%) had an underlying medical diagnosis, 25 (37%) had CLD, 13 (19%) had tracheostomies, and 17 (25%) required mechanical ventilation. The average age of hMPV infected children in our ICU is 4 years 1 month. Conclusion Our large descriptive study of hMPV-infected children over 6 seasons showed higher rates of hospitalization compared with RSV and influenza, similar ICU and HAI rates, and similar rates of mortality. ICU admitted children often had associated co-morbidities, including CLD. Further studies for focused disease surveillance and potential vaccine development for high-risk children are needed. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (31) ◽  
pp. 8342-8347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Asgari ◽  
Luregn J. Schlapbach ◽  
Stéphanie Anchisi ◽  
Christian Hammer ◽  
Istvan Bartha ◽  
...  

Viral respiratory infections are usually mild and self-limiting; still they exceptionally result in life-threatening infections in previously healthy children. To investigate a potential genetic cause, we recruited 120 previously healthy children requiring support in intensive care because of a severe illness caused by a respiratory virus. Using exome and transcriptome sequencing, we identified and characterized three rare loss-of-function variants in IFIH1, which encodes an RIG-I-like receptor involved in the sensing of viral RNA. Functional testing of the variants IFIH1 alleles demonstrated that the resulting proteins are unable to induce IFN-β, are intrinsically less stable than wild-type IFIH1, and lack ATPase activity. In vitro assays showed that IFIH1 effectively restricts replication of human respiratory syncytial virus and rhinoviruses. We conclude that IFIH1 deficiency causes a primary immunodeficiency manifested in extreme susceptibility to common respiratory RNA viruses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 721-727
Author(s):  
D.V. Usenko ◽  
◽  
N.Kh. Tkhakushinova ◽  
T.T. Shaturina ◽  
L.A. Ledenko ◽  
...  

This paper discusses the spread of the most common causative agents for respiratory viral infections, i.e., respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (IV), during seasonal peaks and under the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and epidemic control measures reduced the transmission of some respiratory viral pathogens. The authors specify the risks of changes in RSV epidemiology associated with restrictions and their lifting. Possible scenarios of virus "behavior" in 2021–2022 are represented. These scenarios include the return of variants registered at the end of 2019 and the risk of the emergence of a novel strain of zoonotic flu that may result in a novel viral pandemic. It was demonstrated that effective monitoring of causative agent circulation, timely specific prophylaxis (particularly in high-risk groups), and early effective antiviral therapy are crucial irrespective of the possible scenario of respiratory viral infection. Modern principles of complex flu and acute respiratory viral infection treatment using an antiviral agent based on rimantadine and sodium alginate are addressed. KEYWORDS: flu, COVID-19, pandemic, respiratory syncytial infection, children, treatment, rimantadine, sodium alginate. FOR CITATION: Usenko D.V., Tkhakushinova N.Kh., Shaturina T.T. et al. Acute respiratory infections and flu during the COVID-19 pandemic. What to expect in 2021–2022? Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(11):721–727 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021- 5-11-721-727.


2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (10) ◽  
pp. 2064-2076 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. NICKBAKHSH ◽  
F. THORBURN ◽  
B. VON WISSMANN ◽  
J. McMENAMIN ◽  
R. N. GUNSON ◽  
...  

SUMMARYViral respiratory infections continue to pose a major global healthcare burden. At the community level, the co-circulation of respiratory viruses is common and yet studies generally focus on single aetiologies. We conducted the first comprehensive epidemiological analysis to encompass all major respiratory viruses in a single population. Using extensive multiplex PCR diagnostic data generated by the largest NHS board in Scotland, we analysed 44230 patient episodes of respiratory illness that were simultaneously tested for 11 virus groups between 2005 and 2013, spanning the 2009 influenza A pandemic. We measured viral infection prevalence, described co-infections, and identified factors independently associated with viral infection using multivariable logistic regression. Our study provides baseline measures and reveals new insights that will direct future research into the epidemiological consequences of virus co-circulation. In particular, our study shows that (i) human coronavirus infections are more common during influenza seasons and in co-infections than previously recognized, (ii) factors associated with co-infection differ from those associated with viral infection overall, (iii) virus prevalence has increased over time especially in infants aged <1 year, and (iv) viral infection risk is greater in the post-2009 pandemic era, likely reflecting a widespread change in the viral population that warrants further investigation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. CHUGHTAI ◽  
Q. WANG ◽  
T. C. DUNG ◽  
C. R. MACINTYRE

SUMMARYWe compared the rates of fever in adult subjects with laboratory-confirmed influenza and other respiratory viruses and examined the factors that predict fever in adults. Symptom data on 158 healthcare workers (HCWs) with a laboratory-confirmed respiratory virus infection were collected using standardized data collection forms from three separate studies. Overall, the rate of fever in confirmed viral respiratory infections in adult HCWs was 23·4% (37/158). Rates varied by virus: human rhinovirus (25·3%, 19/75), influenza A virus (30%, 3/10), coronavirus (28·6%, 2/7), human metapneumovirus (28·6%, 2/7), respiratory syncytial virus (14·3%, 4/28) and parainfluenza virus (8·3%, 1/12). Smoking [relative risk (RR) 4·65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·33–16·25] and co-infection with two or more viruses (RR 4·19, 95% CI 1·21–14·52) were significant predictors of fever. Fever is less common in adults with confirmed viral respiratory infections, including influenza, than described in children. More than 75% of adults with a viral respiratory infection do not have fever, which is an important finding for clinical triage of adult patients with respiratory infections. The accepted definition of ‘influenza-like illness’ includes fever and may be insensitive for surveillance when high case-finding is required. A more sensitive case definition could be used to identify adult cases, particularly in event of an emerging viral infection.


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