scholarly journals COVID-19 Restrictions Are Associated With a Significant Decrease of All Common Respiratory Viral Illnesses in Children

2021 ◽  
pp. 000992282110448
Author(s):  
Melanie M. Randall ◽  
Fairuz Despujos Harfouche ◽  
Jennifer Raae-Nielsen ◽  
Brian G. Chen ◽  
Miryah Chen ◽  
...  

To combat the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), significant measures were enacted including school and business closures, social distancing, and facial coverings. We hypothesized that this would have an impact on all respiratory infections in children. Using nasopharyngeal panel test results of children in the emergency department, we evaluated cross-sectional data from February to May in both 2019 and 2020. Respiratory panel testing included 11 common respiratory viruses and bacteria. After the restrictions were enacted, we observed a large drop in the number and percentage positive of all common respiratory viral infections in 2020 compared with the same time in 2019. When analyzing data from children <2 years old, a similar decrease was seen. Restrictions enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were associated with a significant decrease in respiratory viral infections in children of all ages. This association could guide future public health recommendations and guidelines.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
S. A. Khmilevskaya ◽  
N. I. Zryachkin ◽  
V. E. Mikhailova

The aim: to study the etiological structure of acute respiratory infections in children aged 3 to 12 hospitalized in the early stages of the disease in the department of respiratory infections of the children’s hospital, and to reveal the features of their clinical course and the timing of DNA / RNA elimination of respiratory viruses from nasal secretions, depending on the method of therapy. Materials and methods: 100 children with acute respiratory infections aged 3 to 12 years were monitored. The nasal secrets on the DNA / RNA of respiratory viruses were studied by PCR. Depending on the method of therapy, patients were divided into 2 groups: patients of group 1 (comparison) received basic treatment (without the use of antiviral drugs), in patients of the 2nd group (main), along with basal therapy, the drug was used umifenovir in a 5-day course at the ageappropriate dosage. Results: In the etiologic structure of ARVI in children from 3 to 12 years, the leading place was taken by rhinovirus, influenza and metapneumovirus infections (isolated – 18%, 19% and 20% respectively, in the form of a mixed infection – 11%). The main syndromic diagnosis at the height of the disease was rhinopharyngitis. Complications were observed in 42% of cases, as often as possible with flu – 53% of cases. Features of metapneumovirus infection in children of this age group were: predominance of non-severe forms of the disease in the form of acute fever with symptoms of rhinopharyngitis, as well as a small incidence of lower respiratory tract infections. The use of the drug umiphenovir in children with acute respiratory viral infections of various etiologies contributed to significantly faster elimination of viral DNA / RNA from the nasal secretion, which was accompanied by a ecrease in the duration of the main clinical and hematological symptoms of the disease, a decrease in the incidence of complications, and reduced the duration of stay in hospital. Conclusion: application of modern molecular genetic methods of diagnostics made it possible to identify the leading role of influenza, metapneumovirus and rhinovirus infections in the etiology of acute respiratory viral infection in patients aged 3 to 12 years, and to determine a number of clinical features characteristic of this age group. The results of the study testify to the effectiveness of umiphenovir in the treatment of children with acute respiratory viral infections of various etiologies and allow us to recommend this drug as an effective and safe etiotropic agent.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Nesbitt ◽  
Catherine Burke ◽  
Mehra Haghi

There is a high incidence of upper respiratory viral infections in the human population, with infection severity being unique to each individual. Upper respiratory viruses have been associated previously with secondary bacterial infection, however, several cross-sectional studies analyzed in the literature indicate that an inverse relationship can also occur. Pathobiont abundance and/or bacterial dysbiosis can impair epithelial integrity and predispose an individual to viral infection. In this review we describe common commensal microorganisms that have the capacity to reduce the abundance of pathobionts and maintain bacterial symbiosis in the upper respiratory tract and discuss the potential and limitations of localized probiotic formulations of commensal bacteria to reduce the incidence and severity of viral infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 87-91
Author(s):  
Jyoti Jethani ◽  
Sameer Samad ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
Lalit Dar

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality due to respiratory infections and their frequency is not well studied in Indian HSCT recipients. A cohort of 55 HSCT recipients were enrolled prospectively for respiratory episodes. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for respiratory viral aetiology. A total of 153 episodes of acute respiratory infections occurred, [107 episodes (mean; 2.8/patient) in autologous HSCT (n=38); 46 episodes (mean; 2.7/patients) in allogeneic HSCT (n=17)]. From these episodes, 70 samples could be tested for respiratory viruses, of which 33 (47.1%) samples tested positive. A higher infection rate (52%; 26/50) was seen in autologous HSCT compared with allogeneic HSCT (35%; 7/20). Rhinoviruses were detected most often (18/33; 54.5%), followed by parainfluenza viruses, (PIV, 6/33; 18.1%). Human metapneumoviruses, (hMPV) and influenza A/H3N2 were detected in 4 samples each (4/33; 12.1%) followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 2/33; 6.1%). Of the 13 patients with an unfavourable outcome, 4 had respiratory viral infections. Significantly higher fatality was observed in allogeneic than in autologous recipients. Respiratory viruses cause multiple episodes of infection contributing to morbidity and mortality in HSCT recipients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Read ◽  
Shanta Zimmer ◽  
Charles Vukotich ◽  
Mary Lou Schweizer ◽  
David Galloway ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Information on the etiology and age-specific burden of respiratory viral infections among school-aged children remains limited. Though school aged children are often recognized as driving the transmission of influenza as well as other respiratory viruses, little detailed information is available on the distribution of respiratory infections among children of different ages within this group. Factors other than age including gender and time spent in school may also be important in determining risk of infection but have been little studied in this age group. Methods We conducted a cohort study to determine the etiology of influenza like illness (ILI) among 2519 K–12 students during the 2012–13 influenza season. We obtained nasal swabs from students with ILI-related absences. Generalized linear mixed-effect regressions determined associations of outcomes, including ILI and laboratory-confirmed respiratory virus infection, with school grade and other covariates. Results Overall, 459 swabs were obtained from 552 ILI–related absences. Respiratory viruses were found in 292 (63.6%) samples. Influenza was found in 189 (41.2%) samples. With influenza B found in 134 (70.9%). Rates of influenza B were significantly higher in grades 1 (10.1, 95% CI 6.8–14.4%), 2 (9.7, 6.6–13.6%), 3 (9.3, 6.3–13.2%), and 4 (9.9, 6.8–13.8%) than in kindergarteners (3.2, 1.5–6.0%). After accounting for grade, sex and self-reported vaccination status, influenza B infection risk was lower among kindergarteners in half-day programs compared to kindergarteners in full-day programs (OR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.08–0.45). Conclusions ILI and influenza infection is concentrated in younger schoolchildren. Reduced infection by respiratory viruses is associated with a truncated school day for kindergarteners but this finding requires further investigation in other grades and populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 175346662199505
Author(s):  
Alastair Watson ◽  
Tom M. A. Wilkinson

With the global over 60-year-old population predicted to more than double over the next 35 years, caring for this aging population has become a major global healthcare challenge. In 2016 there were over 1 million deaths in >70 year olds due to lower respiratory tract infections; 13–31% of these have been reported to be caused by viruses. Since then, there has been a global COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused over 2.3 million deaths so far; increased age has been shown to be the biggest risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Thus, the burden of respiratory viral infections in the elderly is becoming an increasing unmet clinical need. Particular challenges are faced due to the interplay of a variety of factors including complex multimorbidities, decreased physiological reserve and an aging immune system. Moreover, their atypical presentation of symptoms may lead to delayed necessary care, prescription of additional drugs and prolonged hospital stay. This leads to morbidity and mortality and further nosocomial spread. Clinicians currently have limited access to sensitive detection methods. Furthermore, a lack of effective antiviral treatments means there is little incentive to diagnose and record specific non-COVID-19 viral infections. To meet this unmet clinical need, it is first essential to fully understand the burden of respiratory viruses in the elderly. Doing this through prospective screening research studies for all respiratory viruses will help guide preventative policies and clinical trials for emerging therapeutics. The implementation of multiplex point-of-care diagnostics as a mainstay in all healthcare settings will be essential to understand the burden of respiratory viruses, diagnose patients and monitor outbreaks. The further development of novel targeted vaccinations as well as anti-viral therapeutics and new ways to augment the aging immune system is now also essential. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.


Author(s):  
Cecilia Johansson ◽  
Freja C. M. Kirsebom

AbstractViral respiratory infections are a common cause of severe disease, especially in infants, people who are immunocompromised, and in the elderly. Neutrophils, an important innate immune cell, infiltrate the lungs rapidly after an inflammatory insult. The most well-characterized effector mechanisms by which neutrophils contribute to host defense are largely extracellular and the involvement of neutrophils in protection from numerous bacterial and fungal infections is well established. However, the role of neutrophils in responses to viruses, which replicate intracellularly, has been less studied. It remains unclear whether and, by which underlying immunological mechanisms, neutrophils contribute to viral control or confer protection against an intracellular pathogen. Furthermore, neutrophils need to be tightly regulated to avoid bystander damage to host tissues. This is especially relevant in the lung where damage to delicate alveolar structures can compromise gas exchange with life-threatening consequences. It is inherently less clear how neutrophils can contribute to host immunity to viruses without causing immunopathology and/or exacerbating disease severity. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of how neutrophils in the lung direct immune responses to viruses, control viral replication and spread, and cause pathology during respiratory viral infections.


Author(s):  
Е.Е. Краснова ◽  
В.В. Чемоданов ◽  
Е.Г. Кузнецова

Пневмония – острое инфекционно-воспалительное заболевание легких преимущественно бактериальной этиологии, характеризующееся выраженной в разной степени дыхательной недостаточностью, токсическими и респираторными нарушениями, локальными физикальными симптомами, а также инфильтративными изменениями на рентгенограмме. Заболеваемость внебольничными пневмониями повышается в октябре-декабре, достигая максимума в январе-апреле, коррелируя с сезонным повышением уровня острых респираторных вирусных инфекций. Схожесть симптомов дебюта пневмонии с проявлениями острых респираторных вирусных инфекций может привести к несвоевременной ее диагностике и, как следствие, к отсроченному началу лечения. Поэтому в период сезонной заболеваемости респираторными инфекциями должна повышаться настороженность врачей-педиатров в отношении внебольничной пневмонии. Антибактериальная терапия оказывает решающее влияние на прогноз пневмонии, поэтому при достоверном диагнозе или у больного в тяжелом состоянии с вероятным диагнозом ее следует начать незамедлительно. Выбор антибиотика в каждом случае внебольничной пневмонии проводят индивидуально с учетом природной активности препаратов в отношении предполагаемого возбудителя и их возможной приобретенной резистентности, тяжести и течения заболевания, наличия у пациента противопоказаний к использованию тех или иных антибиотиков. В статье приводятся сведения о диагностических критериях внебольничных пневмоний. Рассмотрены вопросы антибактериального лечения типичной нетяжелой пневмонии у детей разных возрастных групп амоксициллином с клавулановой кислотой и показана его эффективность. Результаты проведенного исследования позволяют заключить, что пероральное использование одного курса защищенного аминопенициллина эффективно при лечении типичной внебольничной нетяжелой пневмонии у детей разного возраста, о чем свидетельствует ликвидация основных клинических проявлений болезни в короткие сроки. Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory lung disease of predominantly bacterial etiology, characterized by respiratory failure, toxic and respiratory disorders, local physical symptoms, and infiltrative changes on the roentgenogram. The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia increases in October-December, reaching a maximum in January-April, correlating with the seasonal increase in the level of acute respiratory viral infections. The similarity of the symptoms of the onset of pneumonia with the manifestations of acute respiratory viral infections can lead to its untimely diagnosis and, as a consequence, to a delayed start of treatment. Therefore, during the period of seasonal morbidity with respiratory infections, the alertness of pediatricians in relation to community-acquired pneumonia should increase. Antibiotic therapy has a decisive influence on the prognosis of pneumonia, therefore, with a reliable diagnosis or in a patient in serious condition with a probable diagnosis, it should be started immediately. The choice of antibiotic in each case of community-acquired pneumonia is carried out individually, taking into account the natural activity of the drugs in relation to the alleged pathogen and their possible acquired resistance, the severity and course of the disease, the patient's contraindications to the use of certain antibiotics. The article provides information on the diagnostic criteria for community-acquired pneumonia. The issues of antibacterial treatment of typical non-severe pneumonia in children of different age groups with amoxicillin with clavulanic acid are considered and its effectiveness is shown. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the oral use of one course of protected aminopenicillin is effective in the treatment of typical community-acquired non-severe pneumonia in children of different ages, as evidenced by the elimination of the main clinical manifestations of the disease in a short time.


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.


1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-24
Author(s):  
G. R. Khasanova ◽  
V. A. Anokhin ◽  
R. A. Urazaev ◽  
M. Yu. Yakovlev

As many as 101 patients with acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) aged 3 months to 3 years are examined, of these in 51 patients the disease going with bronchoobstructive syndrome. According to the level of antiendotoxinal antibodies, plasma endotoxin and that connected by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, it is established that the acute period of acute respiratory viral infections with bronchoobstructive syndrome goes in the presence of pronounced cellularly connected endotoxinemy. The exact dependence is revealed between plasma endotoxin content and pronounced physical variations in respiratory organs in this form of the disease. Viral and bacterial nature of respiratory infections in children is confirmed by the assessment of the level of antiviral and antiendotoxinal antobodies. The data obtained allow suggesting the possible participation of endotoxin in genesis of bronchial obstruction in acute respiratory viral infections.


2021 ◽  
pp. 6-8
Author(s):  
Gyan Singh Meena ◽  
Ajith Kumar M S ◽  
Shashank Sharma ◽  
SP Agnihotri

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is one of the most common cause of hospital admission. It causes signicant morbidity, mortality and inexorable decline in ling function. Many exacerbations are believed to be due to upper and/ lower respiratory tract viral infections, but the incidence of these infections in patients with COPD is still undetermined. Objectives of the study are-(a) To nd out the viral etiology in patients having acute exacerbation of COPD. (b) To correlate the severity of COPD patients having exacerbations with viral etiology. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 70 AECOPD patients admitted in department of Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, SMS Medical College, Jaipur during July 2019–June 2020. Demographic and clinical parameters were recorded from each patient during admission. Twin nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs were collected and are tested for Respiratory viruses via RT-PCR. RESULTS: Respiratory viruses were detected in 15 of 70 (21.42%) patients during exacerbations of COPD. The viruses detected were inuenza (10%), rhinovirus (5.71%), adenovirus (4.29%) and RSV (1.42%). Majority of the patients had exacerbations in severe COPD subgroup, had duration of hospital stay of more than or equal to 5 days, had one episode of acute exacerbation per year and 5, 9, 11 respiratory viruses were detected in this group respectively. CONCLUSION: Viral infections seem to contribute to the exacerbations of COPD in our settings and should be strongly considered in the management of such patients. Considering appropriate antiviral therapy can timely reduce morbidity in an event of an inuenza viral exacerbation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document