scholarly journals An Overview of Antivirals for Treating Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Elvira Cruz Jiménez ◽  
Liliana Quintanar Vera ◽  
J. Armando Lujan-Montelongo
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
World Health ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract. Covid-19 has resulted in a worldwide epidemic (pandemic) with high morbidity and mortality, which has generated efforts in various areas of research looking for safe and effective treatments to combat the virus that generates this disease: SARS-CoV-2. However, several viruses have been emerged/adapted in the last few decades, also affecting the respiratory system. According to the world health organization (WHO), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and viruses are playing important roles as the cause of these infections. In contrast to the vast repertoire of antibiotics that exist to treat bacteria-caused LRTIs, there are a very few antivirals approved for the treatment of virus-caused LRTIs, whose approach consists mainly of drug reuse. This minireview deals on the main viral pathogens that cause LRTIs and some of the most relevant antivirals to counter them (available drugs and molecules in research/clinical trials), with concise comments of their mechanism of action.   Resumen. Covid-19 ha resultado en una epidemia mundial (pandemia) con alta morbilidad y mortalidad, lo que ha generado esfuerzos en diversas áreas de investigación en la búsqueda de tratamientos seguros y eficaces para combatir el virus que genera esta enfermedad: el SARS-CoV-2. Sin embargo, un número de virus han surgido o se han adaptado en las últimas décadas, que también afectan el sistema respiratorio. Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), las infecciones en vías respiratorias inferiores (LRTIs, por sus siglas en inglés) son una de las principales causas de muerte a nivel mundial, siendo los virus de los principales patógenos causantes de estas infecciones. En contraste con el repertorio amplio de antibióticos que existen para tratar LRTIs causadas por bacterias, existen muy pocos antivirales aprobados para su tratamiento, cuyo enfoque consiste principalmente en la reutilización de fármacos. Este ensayo consiste en una breve revisión de los principales agentes virales que causan LRTIs y de los antivirales más relevantes para combatir los virus que las causan (tanto fármacos disponibles como moléculas en fases de investigación o clínicas), con comentarios concisos sobre su mecanismo de acción.

Integrated DNA and RNA extraction and purification on an automated microfluidic cassette from bacterial and viral pathogens causing community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1519-1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liesbet Van Heirstraeten ◽  
Peter Spang ◽  
Carmen Schwind ◽  
Klaus S. Drese ◽  
Marion Ritzi-Lehnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Extraction And Purification ◽  
Tract Infections

Fully automated LOC can reproduce and outperform benchtop NA-sample preparation starting with swab samples.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children in a Well-vaccinated South African Birth Cohort: Spectrum of Disease and Risk Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 1588-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M le Roux ◽  
Mark P Nicol ◽  
Landon Myer ◽  
Aneesa Vanker ◽  
Jacob A M Stadler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Maternal Smoking ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Substantial Morbidity

Abstract Background Childhood lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) cause substantial morbidity and under-5 child mortality. The epidemiology of LRTI is changing in low- and middle-income countries with expanding access to conjugate vaccines, yet there are few data on the incidence and risk factors for LRTI in these settings. Methods A prospective birth cohort enrolled mother–infant pairs in 2 communities near Cape Town, South Africa. Active surveillance for LRTI was performed for the first 2 years of life over 4 respiratory seasons. Comprehensive data collection of risk factors was done through 2 years of life. World Health Organization definitions were used to classify clinical LRTI and chest radiographs. Results From March 2012 to February 2017, 1143 children were enrolled and followed until 2 years of age. Thirty-two percent of children were exposed to antenatal maternal smoking; 15% were born at low birth weights. Seven hundred ninety-five LRTI events occurred in 429 children by February 2017; incidence of LRTI was 0.51 and 0.25 episodes per child-year in the first and second years of life, respectively. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–exposed, uninfected infants (vs HIV-unexposed infants) were at increased risk of hospitalized LRTI in the first 6 months of life. In regression models, male sex, low birth weight, and maternal smoking were independent risk factors for both ambulatory and hospitalized LRTI; delayed or incomplete vaccination was associated with hospitalized LRTI. Conclusions LRTI incidence was high in the first year of life, with substantial morbidity. Strategies to ameliorate harmful exposures are needed to reduce LRTI burden in vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Clinical and Pathogenic Characteristics of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Treated at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hien T. Pham ◽  
Phuc T. T. Nguyen ◽  
Sinh T. Tran ◽  
Thuy T. B. Phung
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Improve Patient Management ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Improve Patient

Lower respiratory tract infections are commonly caused by viruses and cause significant morbidity and mortality among children. Early identification of the pathological agent causing these infections is essential to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and improve patient management. Multiplex PCR techniques were recently developed to detect multiple viral pathogens using a single PCR reaction. In this study, we identify viral pathogens in children with respiratory infections. We collected 194 nasopharyngeal aspirates from infants (2–24 months old) with lower respiratory tract infections treated at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital between November 2014 and June 2015 and assessed the presence of 16 virus types and subtypes by multiplex PCR using the xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) assay. Overall, 73.7% of the samples were positive for at least one virus, and 24.2% corresponded to infections with multiple viruses. The most common viruses were respiratory syncytial virus and enterovirus/rhinovirus. These viruses were more frequent among younger patients (2–5 months old) and caused symptoms similar to those of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The most common clinical manifestation caused by respiratory tract infection was bronchiolitis. Elevated neutrophils levels were associated with adenovirus infection. Our results showed that the xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) can effectively detect multiple viruses causing respiratory infections in children and that the nasopharyngeal aspirates are a good sample choice to detect respiratory viruses in children. Applying this approach in the clinical setting would improve patient management and allow early diagnosis, thus avoiding the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

scholarly journals A Prospective Study on Respiratory Viral Pathogens Causing Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Children below Five Years of Ageat a Tertiary Care Hospital of India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apoorva T Raju ◽  
Rojaleen Das ◽  
Nikki Rai ◽  
Ajay Kumar ◽  
Rajni Gaind
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Multiplex Qpcr ◽  
Tract Infections

Introduction: The lower respiratory tract infections are a major cause of mortality in children below five years of age. Majority of the time the infection is self-limiting but often gets severe and fatal depending on various factors like age, aetiology, time of diagnosis, appropriate treatment, etc. Aim: To study viral aetiology of Acute Lower Respiratory tract Infections (ALRI) using multiplex real time qualitative Polymerase Chain Reactions (qPCR) among hospitalised children under five years of age. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study conducted over a period of two years from June 2015 to May 2017, a throat and nasal swab was collected from 512 children ≤5 years who were being hospitalised for ALRI. The samples were tested by multiplex qPCR to detect viral and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 512 cases, 317 children were further studied. It was found that highest number of ALRI were observed in children of age less than six months i.e., 38.9% followed by 29.4%, 14.8% and 16.9% in the age group of 6-12 months, 12-24 months and 24-60 months, respectively. The one/more viral pathogens were detected in 58.3% (185/317) children. Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) was most common virus detected in 51.9% followed by Human Rhinovirus (HRV) in 23.2%. RSV was found to be statistically significant in infants and causes very severe ALRI. Conclusion: The use of multiplex qPCR has clarified the scenario of different respiratory viral aetiologies causing ALRI in different age group of children. The study results enhance knowledge for making strategy to prevent severity of ALRI in different age group, seasons and geographical area.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hira Karim ◽  
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
World Health ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Viral Strain ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tract Infections

Emerging and reemerging pathogens is a global challenge for public health. Recently, a novel coronavirus disease emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, in December 2019. It is named COVID-19 by World Health Organization (WHO). It is known to be caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that affects the lower respiratory tract and manifests as pneumonia in humans. Coronaviruses (CoVs) are structurally more complicated as compared to other RNA viruses. This viral epidemic has led to the deaths of many, including the elderly or those with chronic disease or compromised immunity. Viruses cause infection and diseases in humans of varying degrees, upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) cause common cold while lower respiratory tract infections induce pneumonia, bronchitis, and even severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The costs of COVID-19 are not limited. It equally affects all the medical, sociological, psychological, and economic aspects globally. This is regarded as the third deadly outbreak in the last two decades after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS (2002&ndash;2003) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome MERS (2012). Based on the sequence homology of SARS-CoV-2, different animal sources including bats, snakes, and pangolins have been reported as potential carriers of this viral strain. Real-time RT-PCR represents the primary method for the diagnosis of new emerging viral strain SARS-CoV-2. The transmission dynamics suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person-to-person through direct contact or coughing, sneezing, and by respiratory droplets. Several anti-viral treatments including lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, chloroquine phosphate, and abidor are also suggested with different recommendations and prescriptions. Protective and preventive strategies as suggested by various health organization i.e. WHO and US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must be adopted by everyone. This review covers the important aspects of novel COVID-19 including characteristics, virology, symptoms, diagnostics, clinical aspects, transmission dynamics, and protective measures of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Bacterial Lower Respiratory Tract Infections at a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan

10.3823/837 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathir Obeidat ◽  
Isam Bsisu ◽  
Faruque Parvez ◽  
Zafrin Islam ◽  
Zaina Obeidat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that LRTI are the most common global cause of death from infectious diseases.  However, the specific etiologic agent associated with LRTI is often unknown. Aims: We determined the bacterial infections and seasonal patterns associated with LRTI among hospitalized cases at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) for a period of five years. Methods: We conducted a multi-year study among hospitalized patients in Jordan on LRTI-associated bacterial etiology. Results: We found bacterial infections among 105 (21.1%) out of 495 LRTI patients. The most frequently identified bacteria in the LRTI patients were Staphylococcus aureus (7.7%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.1%). Most of the LRTI patients (95.2%) had at least one chronic disease and many were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (16.8%). Of the 18 (3.64%) patients with LRTI who died at the hospital, 2 had a bacterial infection. We noticed a seasonal pattern of bacterial infections, with the highest prevalence during the winter months. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that early identification of bacterial agents and control of chronic disease may improve clinical management and reduce morbidity and mortality from LRTI.

Use of Chest Radiography Examination as a Probe for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Impact on Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Young Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalom Ben-Shimol ◽  
Ron Dagan ◽  
Noga Givon-Lavi ◽  
Dekel Avital ◽  
Jacob Bar-Ziv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Conjugate Vaccine ◽  
Chest Radiography ◽  
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background Community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) is considered a bacterial disease, mainly pneumococcal. CAAP rates markedly declined following 7- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) introductions worldwide. In contrast, non-CAAP lower respiratory tract infections (NA-LRIs) are generally not considered pneumococcal diseases. We assessed CAAP, NA-LRIs, and overall visits with chest radiograph (CXR) examination rates in the pediatric emergency room in southern Israel before and after PCV implementation. Methods This was an ongoing, prospective observational study. Our hospital serves a captive population of approximately 75 000 children aged &lt;5 years, enabling incidence calculation. PCV7 and PCV13 were implemented in Israel in July 2009 and November 2010, respectively. All CXRs were analyzed according to the World Health Organization Standardization of Interpretation. We calculated CAAP, NA-LRI, and CXR examinations annual incidences from 2004 to 2017 and incidence rate ratios comparing the PCV13 (2014–2017) with the pre-PCV (2004–2008) periods. Results Overall, 72 746 CXR examinations were recorded: 14% CAAP and 86% NA-LRI. CAAP, NA-LRI, and CXR examination visit rates declined by 49%, 34%, and 37%, respectively. This pattern was seen in Jewish and Bedouin children (the 2 ethnically distinct populations), with steeper declines observed among Jewish children and children aged &gt;12 months. Conclusions PCV7/PCV13 implementation resulted in a marked decline in CAAP and overall visits with CXR examination rates in young children. Overall, approximately 14 750 hospital visits with CXR were prevented annually per 100 000 population aged &lt;5 years. These findings suggest that although NA-LRIs are usually not considered pneumococcal, many can be prevented by PCVs. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7/PCV13) implementation resulted in significant declines in community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) and overall chest radiography examination rates in young children. Although non-CAAP lower respiratory tract infections are usually not considered pneumococcal, many can be prevented by PCVs.

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