Comparing of level of circulation of respiratory viruses during epidemic seasons 2015–2020 and COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Petersburg

BACKGROUND: Respiratory viruses circulate everywhere. Problem of pandemic respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2 is especially relevant. The understanding of level of circulation of different viruses can help in developing a strategy of respiratory viruses combat. AIM: To compare circulation of respiratory viruses during different seasons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PCR-diagnostic. RESULTS: The most common viruses before the pandemic were influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses. COVID-19 pandemic season 2020/2021 had significant difference from previous epidemic seasons. Influenza viruses have largely disappeared, but the circulation of seasonal coronavirus and metapneumovirus has increased. The circulation of rhinovirus remained at the same level. CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus had a significant impact on some respiratory viruses circulation, such as influenza or respiratory syncytial viruses.

Download Full-text

PRESENCE OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES IN EQUINES IN BRAZIL

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652014000300002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 191-195

Author(s):

Dalva Assunção Portari Mancini ◽

Aparecida Santo Pietro Pereira ◽

Rita Maria Zucatelli Mendonça ◽

Adelia Hiroko Nagamori Kawamoto ◽

Rosely Cabette Barbosa Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza A Viruses ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Hemagglutination Inhibition Test ◽

Parainfluenza Viruses ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

The Difference

Equines are susceptible to respiratory viruses such as influenza and parainfluenza. Respiratory diseases have adversely impacted economies all over the world. This study was intended to determine the presence of influenza and parainfluenza viruses in unvaccinated horses from some regions of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Blood serum collected from 72 equines of different towns in this state was tested by hemagglutination inhibition test to detect antibodies for both viruses using the corresponding antigens. About 98.6% (71) and 97.2% (70) of the equines responded with antibody protective titers (≥ 80 HIU/25µL) H7N7 and H3N8 subtypes of influenza A viruses, respectively. All horses (72) also responded with protective titers (≥ 80) HIU/25µL against the parainfluenza virus. The difference between mean antibody titers to H7N7 and H3N8 subtypes of influenza A viruses was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The mean titers for influenza and parainfluenza viruses, on the other hand, showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). These results indicate a better antibody response from equines to parainfluenza 3 virus than to the equine influenza viruses. No statistically significant differences in the responses against H7N7 and H3N8 subtypes of influenza A and parainfluenza 3 viruses were observed according to the gender (female, male) or the age (≤ 2 to 20 years-old) groups. This study provides evidence of the concomitant presence of two subtypes of the equine influenza A (H7N7 and H3N8) viruses and the parainfluenza 3 virus in equines in Brazil. Thus, it is advisable to vaccinate equines against these respiratory viruses.

Download Full-text

Pneumococcal Colonisation is an Asymptomatic Event in Healthy Adults using an Experimental Human Colonisation Model

10.1101/652370 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ashleigh Trimble ◽

Victoria Connor ◽

Ryan E Robinson ◽

Carole A Hancock ◽

Duolao Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Symptom Severity ◽

Pneumococcal Disease ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Saline Group ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Likert Score ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Inoculation Group

AbstractIntroductionPneumococcal colonisation is regarded as a pre-requisite for developing pneumococcal disease. In children previous studies have reported colonisation to be a symptomatic event and described a relationship between symptom severity/frequency and colonisation density. The evidence for this in adults is lacking in the literature. This study uses an experimental human pneumococcal challenge model to explore whether pneumococcal colonisation (or co-colonisation with a respiratory virus) is a symptomatic event in healthy adults.MethodsHealthy volunteers aged 18-50 were recruited and inoculated intra-nasally with either Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotypes 6B, 23F) or saline as a control. Respiratory viral swabs were obtained prior to inoculation. Nasal and non-nasal symptoms were then assessed using a modified Likert score between 1 (no symptoms) to 7 (cannot function). The rate of symptoms reported between groups was compared and a correlation analysis performed.ResultsData from 54 participants were analysed. 46 were inoculated with S. pneumoniae (29 with 6B, 17 with 23F) and 8 received saline. In total, 14 became experimentally colonised (30.4%), all of which were inoculated with 6B serotype. There was no statistically significant difference in nasal (p= 0.45) or non-nasal symptoms (p=0.28) between the pneumococcal inoculation group and the saline group. There was no direct correlation between colonisation density and symptom severity in those who were colonised. In the 22% (12/52) who were co-colonised with pneumococcus and respiratory viruses there was no statistical difference in either nasal or non-nasal symptoms (virus positive p=0.74 and virus negative p=1.0).ConclusionPneumococcal colonisation is asymptomatic in healthy adults, regardless of bacterial density or viral co-colonisation.

Download Full-text

Impact of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic wave on the pattern of hibernal respiratory virus epidemics, France, 2009

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/ese.15.06.19485-en ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J S Casalegno ◽

M Ottmann ◽

M Bouscambert-Duchamp ◽

M Valette ◽

F Morfin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Winter Season ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Short Report ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Clinical Surveillance ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ◽

Pandemic Wave

This short report based on clinical surveillance and laboratory data describes the circulation of rhinoviruses, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) in France during the 2009-10 season compared with the previous winter season. The delayed circulation of RSV observed in 2009-10 compared with 2008-09 suggests that the early circulation of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) viruses had an impact on the RSV epidemic.

Download Full-text

Are Respiratory Viruses Involved in Preseasonal Symptoms or Severity in Japanese Cedar Pollinosis?

Allergy & Rhinology ◽

10.2500/ar.2016.7.0157 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. ar.2016.7.0157 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hirokuni Otsuka ◽

Hiroyuki Tsukagoshi ◽

Hirokazu Kimura ◽

Ikuo Takanashi ◽

Kimihiro Okubo

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Virus ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Japanese Cedar ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Japanese Cedar Pollinosis ◽

Respiratory Virus Infections ◽

The Relationship

Background Respiratory virus infections are involved in asthma exacerbations. However, there are no reports of the relationship between respiratory virus infections and Japanese cedar pollinosis. Objective We studied the relationship between respiratory viral infection and the appearance of preseasonal symptoms and the severity of seasonal symptoms in Japanese cedar pollinosis. Methods In 36 patients with asthma and with no symptoms (PreAsyP) and 54 patients with asthma and with symptoms (PreSyP) before the cedar pollen shedding commenced (preseason), and 37 patients with mild-to-moderate severity (InMild/Mod) and 45 patients with severe to extreme severity (InSev/Ext) after cedar shedding commenced (in season), the occurrence of respiratory viruses and nasal smear cytology were examined. Results In total, seven infections with respiratory viruses were detected among the subjects. Human rhinovirus (HRV) C infection was detected in one subject in each of the PreAsyP and PreSyP groups, and one HRVA infection occurred in the InMild/Mod group. In the InSev/Ext group, one HRVA, one HRVC, one respiratory syncytial virus, and one human metapneumovirus were detected. There was no significant difference in the rate of detection of viral infections between the PreAsyP and the PreSyP groups (p = 0.077), and between the InMild/Mod group and the InSev/Ext group (p = 0.24, Wilcoxon rank sum test). When cells types in nasal smears were identified and their abundance examined, the rate of neutrophilia in the subjects in the PreSyP group was 54%, which was statistically higher (p < 0.01) than the subjects in the PreAsyP group (25%). Interestingly, in the subjects in the InSev/Ext group, the proportion of eosinophils (40%) was larger (p < 0.05) than in the subjects in the InMild/Mod group (19%). Conclusion These results provided no evidence that respiratory virus infections contributed to preseasonal symptoms and severity in season of Japanese cedar pollinosis. Nasal neutrophilia was related to preseasonal symptoms, whereas nasal eosinophilia was related to severity of symptoms during the pollen season.

Download Full-text

Other Respiratory Viruses Are Important Contributors to Adult Respiratory Hospitalizations and Mortality Even During Peak Weeks of the Influenza Season

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofu086 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Rodica Gilca ◽

Rachid Amini ◽

Monique Douville-Fradet ◽

Hugues Charest ◽

Josée Dubuque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Influenza Season ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Parainfluenza Viruses ◽

Laboratory Confirmation ◽

Syncytial Virus

Background. During peak weeks of seasonal influenza epidemics, severe respiratory infections without laboratory confirmation are typically attributed to influenza. Methods. In this prospective study, specimens and demographic and clinical data were collected from adults admitted with respiratory symptoms to 4 hospitals during the 8–10 peak weeks of 2 influenza seasons. Specimens were systematically tested for influenza and 13 other respiratory viruses (ORVs) by using the Luminex RVP FAST assay. Results. At least 1 respiratory virus was ide.jpegied in 46% (21% influenza, 25% noninfluenza; 2% coinfection) of the 286 enrolled patients in 2011–2012 and in 62% (46% influenza, 16% noninfluenza; 3% coinfection) of the 396 enrolled patients in 2012–2013. Among patients aged ≥75 years, twice as many ORVs (32%) as influenza viruses (14%) were detected in 2011–2012. During both seasons, the most frequently detected ORVs were enteroviruses/rhinoviruses (7%), respiratory syncytial virus (6%), human metapneumovirus (5%), coronaviruses (4%), and parainfluenza viruses (2%). Disease severity was similar for influenza and ORVs during both seasons. Conclusions. Although ORV contribution relative to influenza varies by age and season, during the peak weeks of certain influenza seasons, ORVs may be a more frequent cause of elderly hospitalization than influenza.

Download Full-text

Nucleosides for the treatment of respiratory RNA virus infections

Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1177/2040206618764483 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

pp. 204020661876448 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Paul C Jordan ◽

Sarah K Stevens ◽

Jerome Deval

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Virus ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Rna Viruses ◽

Rna Virus ◽

Nucleoside Analogs ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Nucleotide Analogs ◽

Tract Infections

Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronaviruses, and rhinoviruses are among the most common viruses causing mild seasonal colds. These RNA viruses can also cause lower respiratory tract infections leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Young children, the elderly, and patients with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems are at greatest risk for serious disease associated with these RNA virus respiratory infections. In addition, swine and avian influenza viruses, together with severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronaviruses, represent significant pandemic threats to the general population. In this review, we describe the current medical need resulting from respiratory infections caused by RNA viruses, which justifies drug discovery efforts to identify new therapeutic agents. The RNA polymerase of respiratory viruses represents an attractive target for nucleoside and nucleotide analogs acting as inhibitors of RNA chain synthesis. Here, we present the molecular, biochemical, and structural fundamentals of the polymerase of the four major families of RNA respiratory viruses: Orthomyxoviridae, Pneumoviridae/Paramyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Picornaviridae. We summarize past and current efforts to develop nucleoside and nucleotide analogs as antiviral agents against respiratory virus infections. This includes molecules with very broad antiviral spectrum such as ribavirin and T-705 (favipiravir), and others targeting more specifically one or a few virus families. Recent advances in our understanding of the structure(s) and function(s) of respiratory virus polymerases will likely support the discovery and development of novel nucleoside analogs.

Download Full-text

Respiratory viral testing and antibacterial treatment in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.1312 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Michael Klompas ◽

Peter B. Imrey ◽

Pei-Chun Yu ◽

Chanu Rhee ◽

Abhishek Deshpande ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Antibacterial Treatment ◽

Viral Pathogens ◽

Antimicrobial Utilization ◽

Viral Testing ◽

Virus Testing

Abstract Objective: Viruses are more common than bacteria in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. Little is known, however, about the frequency of respiratory viral testing and its associations with antimicrobial utilization. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: The study included 179 US hospitals. Patients: Adults admitted with pneumonia between July 2010 and June 2015. Methods: We assessed the frequency of respiratory virus testing and compared antimicrobial utilization, mortality, length of stay, and costs between tested versus untested patients, and between virus-positive versus virus-negative patients. Results: Among 166,273 patients with pneumonia on admission, 40,787 patients (24.5%) were tested for respiratory viruses, 94.8% were tested for influenza, and 20.7% were tested for other viruses. Viral assays were positive in 5,133 of 40,787 tested patients (12.6%), typically for influenza and rhinovirus. Tested patients were younger and had fewer comorbidities than untested patients, but patients with positive viral assays were older and had more comorbidities than those with negative assays. Blood cultures were positive for bacterial pathogens in 2.7% of patients with positive viral assays versus 5.3% of patients with negative viral tests (P < .001). Antibacterial courses were shorter for virus-positive versus -negative patients overall (mean 5.5 vs 6.4 days; P < .001) but varied by bacterial testing: 8.1 versus 8.0 days (P = .60) if bacterial tests were positive; 5.3 versus 6.1 days (P < .001) if bacterial tests were negative; and 3.3 versus 5.2 days (P < .001) if bacterial tests were not obtained (interaction P < .001). Conclusions: A minority of patients hospitalized with pneumonia were tested for respiratory viruses; only a fraction of potential viral pathogens were assayed; and patients with positive viral tests often received long antibacterial courses.

Download Full-text

Epidemiological characteristics of four common respiratory viral infections in children

Virology Journal ◽

10.1186/s12985-020-01475-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Guohong Zhu ◽

Dan Xu ◽

Yuanyuan Zhang ◽

Tianlin Wang ◽

Lingyan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Viral Infection ◽

Influenza A ◽

Multiple Infection ◽

Influenza B ◽

Preschool Period ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Different Seasons ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background Viruses are the main infectious agents of acute respiratory infections in children. We aim to describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens of acute respiratory tract infections in outpatient children. Methods From April 2018 to March 2019, the results of viral detection using oral pharyngeal swabs from 103,210 children with acute respiratory tract infection in the outpatient department of the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, were retrospectively analyzed. Viral antigens, including adenovirus (ADV), influenza A (FLUA), influenza B (FLUB) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), were detected by the colloidal gold method. Results At least one virus was detected in 38,355 cases; the positivity rate was 37.2%. A total of 1910 cases of mixed infection with two or more viruses were detected, and the positivity rate of multiple infection was 1.9%. The ADV positivity rate was highest in the 3–6-year-old group (18.7%), the FLUA positivity rate was highest in the > 6-year-old group (21.6%), the FLUB positivity rate was highest in the > 6-year-old group (6.6%), and the RSV positivity rate was highest in the < 1-year-old group (10.6%). There was a significant difference in the positivity rate of viral infection among different age groups (χ2 = 1280.7, P < 0.001). The rate of positive viral infection was highest in winter (47.1%). The ADV infection rate was highest in spring (18.2%). The rates of FLUA and FLUB positivity were highest in winter (28.8% and 3.6%, respectively). The rate of RSV positivity was highest in autumn (17.4%). The rate of positive viral infection in different seasons was significantly different (χ2 = 6459.1, P < 0.001). Conclusions Viral infection rates in children differ for different ages and seasons. The positivity rate of ADV is highest in the preschool period and that of RSV is highest in infants; that of FLU increases with age. The total positive rate of viral infection in different seasons is highest in winter, as is the rate of FLU positivity.

Download Full-text

Thapsigargin Is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Major Human Respiratory Viruses: Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza A Virus

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 234

Author(s):

Sarah Al-Beltagi ◽

Cristian Alexandru Preda ◽

Leah V. Goulding ◽

Joe James ◽

Juan Pu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Broad Spectrum ◽

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Virus Challenge ◽

2009 H1n1 ◽

Syncytial Virus

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.

Download Full-text

The efficacy of live and inactivated vaccines of Hong Kong influenza virus in an industrial community: A report to the Medical Research Council Committee on Influenza and other respiratory virus vaccines

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0022172400022907 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 641-647 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

D. Hobson ◽

F. A. Baker ◽

R. L. Curry ◽

A. S. Beare ◽

P. M. O. Massey

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Medical Research ◽

Research Council ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Medical Research Council ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Protective Efficiency ◽

Industrial Community ◽

Inactivated Vaccines

Intranasal vaccines of inactivated or living attentuated A2/Hong Kong influenza viruses were compared for clinical acceptability, serological effects and protective efficiency against natural epidemic influenza in a large industrial and clerical population.

Download Full-text