Upper respiratory tract infection in children – immunostimulating treatment

This paper is a review of publications on viral infections of the upper aerotract in children. Recurring infections can be a consequence of the lack of treatment, inappropriate therapy or accompanying diseases. It is possible that an impaired condition of immunity leads to recurring infections. In this review a great deal of attention has been given to the mechanisms and the various stages of viral infection, and the onset of an organism’s defense mechanisms against viruses. The function of the immunomodulatory and immunostimulatory medical product, namely inosine pranobex has been evaluated in in vitro and in vivo studies. A review of the antiviral activity of inosine pranobex and the onset of cellular and humoral immunity has been presented.

Download Full-text

Antimalarial drugs—are they beneficial in rheumatic and viral diseases?—considerations in COVID-19 pandemic

Clinical Rheumatology ◽

10.1007/s10067-021-05805-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bogna Grygiel-Górniak

Keyword(s):

Connective Tissue ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Antiviral Drugs ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Viral Diseases ◽

Cardiac Complications

AbstractThe majority of the medical fraternity is continuously involved in finding new therapeutic schemes, including antimalarial medications (AMDs), which can be useful in combating the 2019-nCoV: coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For many decades, AMDs have been widely used in the treatment of malaria and various other anti-inflammatory diseases, particularly to treat autoimmune disorders of the connective tissue. The review comprises in vitro and in vivo studies, original studies, clinical trials, and consensus reports for the analysis, which were available in medical databases (e.g., PubMed). This manuscript summarizes the current knowledge about chloroquine (CQ)/hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and shows the difference between their use, activity, recommendation, doses, and adverse effects on two groups of patients: those with rheumatic and viral diseases (including COVID-19). In the case of connective tissue disorders, AMDs are prescribed for a prolonged duration in small doses, and their effect is observed after few weeks, whereas in the case of viral infections, they are prescribed in larger doses for a short duration to achieve a quick saturation effect. In rheumatic diseases, AMDs are well tolerated, and their side effects are rare. However, in some viral diseases, the effect of AMDs is questionable or not so noticeable as suggested during the initial prognosis. They are mainly used as an additive therapy to antiviral drugs, but recent studies have shown that AMDs can diminish the efficacy of some antiviral drugs and may cause respiratory, kidney, liver, and cardiac complications.

Download Full-text

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus Viral Chemokine-Binding Protein Glycoprotein G Alters Transcription of Key Inflammatory Mediators In Vitro and In Vivo

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01534-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mauricio J. C. Coppo ◽

Joanne M. Devlin ◽

Alistair R. Legione ◽

Paola K. Vaz ◽

Sang-Won Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus ◽

Glycoprotein G ◽

Infectious Laryngotracheitis ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Laryngotracheitis Virus

ABSTRACTInfectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is an alphaherpesvirus that infects chickens, causing upper respiratory tract disease and significant losses to poultry industries worldwide. Glycoprotein G (gG) is a broad-range viral chemokine-binding protein conserved among most alphaherpesviruses, including ILTV. A number of studies comparing the immunological parameters between infection with gG-expressing and gG-deficient ILTV strains have demonstrated that expression of gG is associated with increased virulence, modification of the amount and the composition of the inflammatory response, and modulation of the immune responses toward antibody production and away from cell-mediated immune responses. The aims of the current study were to examine the establishment of infection and inflammation by ILTV and determine how gG influences that response to infection.In vitroinfection studies using tracheal organ tissue specimen cultures and blood-derived monocytes andin vivoinfection studies in specific-pathogen-free chickens showed that leukocyte recruitment to the site of infection is an important component of the induced pathology and that this is influenced by the expression of ILTV gG and changes in the transcription of the chicken orthologues of mammalian CXC chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), chicken CXCLi1 and chicken CXCLi2, among other cytokines and chemokines. The results from this study demonstrate that ILTV gG interferes with chemokine and cytokine transcription at different steps of the inflammatory cascade, thus altering inflammation, virulence, and the balance of the immune response to infection.IMPORTANCEInfectious laryngotracheitis virus is an alphaherpesvirus that expresses gG, a conserved broad-range viral chemokine-binding protein known to interfere with host immune responses. However, little is known about how gG modifies virulence and influences the inflammatory signaling cascade associated with infection. Here, data fromin vitroandin vivoinfection studies are presented. These data show that gG has a direct impact on the transcription of cytokines and chemokine ligandsin vitro(such as chicken CXCL8 orthologues, among others), which explains the altered balance of the inflammatory response that is associated with gG during ILTV infection of the upper respiratory tract of chickens. This is the first report to associate gG with the dysregulation of cytokine transcription at different stages of the inflammatory cascade triggered by ILTV infection of the natural host.

Download Full-text

Antiviral Properties of Food Plants Could Help to Reduce Contagion and Severity in SARS-CoV-2 Infections

Current Traditional Medicine ◽

10.2174/2215083807666210917144039 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 07 ◽

Author(s):

Betina Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Literature Search ◽

Food Plants ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Site Specific ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Introduction: The importance of an immediate tool to help patients and prevent viral diffusion of new pneumonia caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) that causes the disease COVID-19 becomes evident. Recent articles have reported on body site-specific SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing very active replication in the throat and upper respiratory tract when symptoms were still mild, and thus being efficient in viral transmission in sputum. Material and Methods: An alternative that may be feasible is to resort to scientific studies that demonstrate the antiviral potential of medicinal plants species through in-vitro and in-vivo experiments to alleviate symptoms and prevent the spread of contagion. A literature search in Scopus and PubMed on herbs and foods with antiviral properties was performed. Results: Herbs and foods with demonstrated antiviral potential have been identified, which could limit SARS-CoV-2 spreading by interfering on ACE2 protein on infection sites. The analysis of transdisciplinary knowledge allows us to connect previous research on the action of common plants and foods on viruses to limit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the throat and upper respiratory tract. Conclusions: Herbs and foods with demonstrated antiviral potential have been identified, which could limit SARS-CoV-2 spreading by interfering on ACE2 protein on infection sites. The analysis of transdisciplinary knowledge allows us to connect previous research on the action of common plants and foods on viruses to limit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the throat and upper respiratory tract.

Download Full-text

A Review of Topical Povidone-iodine to Decrease Viral Load of COViD-19

The Senior Care Pharmacist ◽

10.4140/tcp.n.2021.238. ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 238-241

Author(s):

Katherine M. Benson ◽

Amalia A. Mancini ◽

Michael R. Brodeur

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Povidone Iodine ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Clinical Trial Results ◽

Tract Infections

Topical povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is currently being considered as a potential preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19. Diluted PVP-I solutions have been historically used in Asia to treat upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) by decreasing the bacterial and viral load on oropharyngeal mucosa to decrease the transmission of diseases. Efficacy of gargling 0.23% PVP-I mouthwash in Japan demonstrated to be efficacious in lowering the prevalence of URTIs when compared with placebo. The 0.23% concentration was used in vitro on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which produced undetectable results after 30 seconds of exposure. Additionally, a recent study in 2020 proved the efficacy of PVP-I 0.45%-10% in reducing COVID-19 (SARS-CoV 2) viral load in vitro. Numerous clinical trials are being conducted to determine if there is a decrease in viral load, and thus transmission, when using oral or nasal topical PVP-I in COVID-19 patients. Because of the current lack of evidence for the use of PVP-I in vivo with COVID-19, it is recommended to await the clinical trial results before initiating this practice.

Download Full-text

Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus That Does Not Express the NS1 or M2-2 Protein Is Highly Attenuated and Immunogenic in Chimpanzees

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.74.19.9317-9321.2000 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 74 (19) ◽

pp. 9317-9321 ◽

Cited By ~ 141

Author(s):

Michael N. Teng ◽

Stephen S. Whitehead ◽

Alison Bermingham ◽

Marisa St. Claire ◽

William R. Elkins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protective Efficacy ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Target Population ◽

Large Deletion ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Wild Type ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Syncytial Virus

ABSTRACT Mutant recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) which cannot express the NS1 and M2-2 proteins, designated rA2ΔNS1 and rA2ΔM2-2, respectively, were evaluated as live-attenuated RSV vaccines. The rA2ΔNS1 virus contains a large deletion that should have the advantageous property of genetic stability during replication in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, rA2ΔNS1 replicated approximately 10-fold less well than wild-type recombinant RSV (rA2), while rA2ΔM2-2 had delayed growth kinetics but reached a final titer similar to that of rA2. Each virus was administered to the respiratory tracts of RSV-seronegative chimpanzees to assess replication, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy. The rA2ΔNS1 and rA2ΔM2-2 viruses were 2,200- to 55,000-fold restricted in replication in the upper and lower respiratory tracts but induced a level of RSV-neutralizing antibody in serum that was only slightly reduced compared to the level induced by wild-type RSV. The replication of wild-type RSV in immunized chimpanzees after challenge was reduced more than 10,000-fold at each site. Importantly, rA2ΔNS1 and rA2ΔM2-2 were 10-fold more restricted in replication in the upper respiratory tract than was thecpts248/404 virus, a vaccine candidate that retained mild reactogenicity in the upper respiratory tracts of 1-month-old infants. Thus, either rA2ΔNS1 or rA2ΔM2-2 might be appropriately attenuated for this age group, which is the major target population for an RSV vaccine. In addition, these results show that neither NS1 nor M2-2 is essential for RSV replication in vivo, although each is important for efficient replication.

Download Full-text

A rat nasal epithelial model for predicting upper respiratory tract toxicity: in vivo–in vitro correlations

Toxicology ◽

10.1016/s0300-483x(99)00180-8 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 145 (1) ◽

pp. 39-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J.D Kilgour ◽

S.A Simpson ◽

D.J Alexander ◽

C.J Reed

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory

Download Full-text

Inhibition of AIM2 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis by Andrographolide contributes to amelioration of radiation-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-019-2195-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jian Gao ◽

Shuang Peng ◽

Xinni Shan ◽

Guoliang Deng ◽

Lihong Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Phase ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Protective Agent ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Radiation Induced ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Lung Tissue Damage

AbstractRadiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the most common and fatal complications of thoracic radiotherapy, whereas no effective interventions are available. Andrographolide, an active component extracted from Andrographis paniculate, is prescribed as a treatment for upper respiratory tract infection. Here we report the potential radioprotective effect and mechanism of Andrographolide on RILI. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 18 Gy of whole thorax irradiation, followed by intraperitoneal injection of Andrographolide every other day for 4 weeks. Andrographolide significantly ameliorated radiation-induced lung tissue damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in the early phase and progressive fibrosis in the late phase. Moreover, Andrographolide markedly hampered radiation-induced activation of the AIM2 inflammasome and pyroptosis in vivo. Furthermore, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were exposed to 8 Gy of X-ray radiation in vitro and Andrographolide significantly inhibited AIM2 inflammasome mediated-pyroptosis in BMDMs. Mechanistically, Andrographolide effectively prevented AIM2 from translocating into the nucleus to sense DNA damage induced by radiation or chemotherapeutic agents in BMDMs. Taken together, Andrographolide ameliorates RILI by suppressing AIM2 inflammasome mediated-pyroptosis in macrophage, identifying Andrographolide as a novel potential protective agent for RILI.

Download Full-text

Natural Nrf2 Activators from Juices, Wines, Coffee, and Cocoa

Beverages ◽

10.3390/beverages6040068 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Mallique Qader ◽

Jian Xu ◽

Yuejun Yang ◽

Yuancai Liu ◽

Shugeng Cao

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Target Genes ◽

Antioxidant Activities ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Polyphenolic Compounds ◽

Cellular Systems ◽

In Vivo Studies

Juices, wine, coffee, and cocoa are rich sources of natural polyphenolic compounds that have potent antioxidant activities proven by in vitro and in vivo studies. These polyphenolic compounds quench reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) or reactive free radicals and act as natural antioxidants which are also able to protect against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage, which elevates cellular antioxidant capacity to induce antioxidant defense mechanisms by modulating transcription factors. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor encoded in humans. It is activated as a result of oxidative stress and induces the expression of its target genes. This is one of the most important cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. However, the oxidative stress alone is not enough to activate Nrf2. Hence phytochemicals, especially polyphenolics, act as natural Nrf2 activators. Herein, this review discusses the natural products identified in juices, coffee, cocoa and wines that modulate Nrf2 activity in cellular systems.

Download Full-text

Increased Chain Length Promotes Pneumococcal Adherence and Colonization

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00587-12 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 80 (10) ◽

pp. 3454-3459 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Jesse L. Rodriguez ◽

Ankur B. Dalia ◽

Jeffrey N. Weiser

Keyword(s):

Parental Strain ◽

A549 Cells ◽

Invasive Disease ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Epithelial Surface ◽

Content Type ◽

Morphological Heterogeneity ◽

Upper Respiratory

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a mucosal pathogen that grows in chains of variable lengths. Short-chain forms are less likely to activate complement, and as a consequence they evade opsonophagocytic clearance more effectively during invasive disease. When grown in human nasal airway surface fluid, pneumococci exhibited both short- and long-chain forms. Here, we determined whether longer chains provide an advantage during colonization when the organism is attached to the epithelial surface. Chain-forming mutants and the parental strain grown under conditions to promote chain formation showed increased adherence to human epithelial cells (A549 cells)in vitro. Additionally, adherence to A549 cells selected for longer chains within the wild-type strain.In vivoin a murine model of colonization, chain-forming mutants outcompeted the parental strain. Together, our results demonstrate that morphological heterogeneity in the pneumococcus may promote colonization of the upper respiratory tract by enhancing the ability of the organism to bind to the epithelial surface.

Download Full-text

Demonstration of N , N -Dimethyldithiocarbamate as a Copper-Dependent Antibiotic against Multiple Upper Respiratory Tract Pathogens

Microbiology Spectrum ◽

10.1128/spectrum.00778-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sanjay V. Menghani ◽

Angela Rivera ◽

Miranda Neubert ◽

James R. Hagerty ◽

Lourdes Lewis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Coccidioides Posadasii ◽

Content Type ◽

Upper Respiratory

With the rise of antibiotic resistance, approaches that add new antimicrobials to the current repertoire are vital. Here, we investigate putative and known copper ionophores in an attempt to intoxicate bacteria and use ionophore/copper synergy, and we ultimately find success with N , N -dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDC). We show that DMDC has in vitro efficacy in a copper-dependent manner and kills pathogens across three different kingdoms, Streptococcus pneumoniae ( Sr. pneumoniae ), Coccidioides posadasii , and Schistosoma mansoni , and in vivo efficacy against Sr . pneumoniae .

Download Full-text