scholarly journals The Crossroads between Host Copper Metabolism and Influenza Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5498
Author(s):  
Ludmila V. Puchkova ◽  
Irina V. Kiseleva ◽  
Elena V. Polishchuk ◽  
Massimo Broggini ◽  
Ekaterina Yu. Ilyechova

Three main approaches are used to combat severe viral respiratory infections. The first is preemptive vaccination that blocks infection. Weakened or dead viral particles, as well as genetic constructs carrying viral proteins or information about them, are used as an antigen. However, the viral genome is very evolutionary labile and changes continuously. Second, chemical agents are used during infection and inhibit the function of a number of viral proteins. However, these drugs lose their effectiveness because the virus can rapidly acquire resistance to them. The third is the search for points in the host metabolism the effect on which would suppress the replication of the virus but would not have a significant effect on the metabolism of the host. Here, we consider the possibility of using the copper metabolic system as a target to reduce the severity of influenza infection. This is facilitated by the fact that, in mammals, copper status can be rapidly reduced by silver nanoparticles and restored after their cancellation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-84
Author(s):  
Mohammad Al Farroukh ◽  
Ekaterina A. Skomorokhova ◽  
Daria N. Magazenkova ◽  
Irina V. Kiseleva

BACKGROUND: The present study assesses copper metabolism of the host organism as a target of antiviral strategy, basing on the virocell concept. This concept suggests that the targets for suppressing viral reproduction can be found in the hosts metabolism. AIM: Evaluation of the effect of copper status indicators on influenza infection in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used as a specific active agent because they reduce the level of holo-ceruloplasmin, the main extracellular cuproenzyme. The mouse model of influenza virus A infection was used with two doses: 1 LD50 and 10 LD50. The following treatment regimens were used: mice were pretreated four days before infection and then every day during infection development until the end of the experiment (day 14). RESULTS: The mice treated with AgNPs demonstrated significantly lower mortality, the protection index reached 6070% at the end of the experiment, and mean lifespan was prolonged. In addition, the treatment of the animals with AgNPs resulted in normalization of the weight dynamics. Despite the amelioration of the infection, AgNPs treatment did not influence influenza virus replication. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the view that silver nanoparticles could be used as protection against influenza.


Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Tatiana Zimina ◽  
Vladimir Karasev ◽  
Viktor Luchinin ◽  
Alexander Kolobov ◽  
Ivan Mandrik ◽  
...  

At the end of year 2019 the first reports appeared of a new coronavirus and on 31st December 2019 WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern. To date (as of 6:08 pm CET, 24th November 2020) according to WHO the new coronavirus, now called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2, has infected 58,900,547 people and killed 1,393,305 people worldwide. It is extremely important to develop means for express diagnostics to ensure prompt action to limit the spread of infection. One of the diagnostic approaches, is the detection of viral particles in swabs. This approach can be realized using a biosensor with specific ligands, based on peptide molecules complementary to surface viral proteins. The concept of the so-called Systems of Conjugated Ionic-Hydrogen Bonds (abbreviated—SSIVS, CIHBS) implemented in the Protein-3D computer program, was applied to analyze the spatial structures of the bonds between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the ACE-2 (Angiotensin converting enzyme 2) receptor, in order to reveal the perspective peptide sequences. There are two clearly marked areas of contact of the spike with the cell receptor—upper and lower, which are visualized in the SSIVS form, and the complex formed at this site is strong enough to ensure its attachment to the coronavirus spike and can compete for binding with the ACE-2 receptor. Two peptides were developed that form a spatial structure complementary to the coronavirus spike: of eight (No. one) and of 15 (No. two) amino acid residues. The peptides were covalently bound to biochip platforms via neutral linkers to form sites with peptides No. one and No. two. The third site has a neutral hydrophilic surface to serve as a reference. The platform was integrated with a microfluidic channel and was used as a flow through device. The detection of bound viral particles was carried out using UV excitation and direct registration of viral proteins fluorescence. The preliminary laboratory tests demonstrated the efficiency of the biosensor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S385-S386
Author(s):  
Valentina Gutierrez ◽  
Jaime Cerda ◽  
Nicole Le Corre ◽  
Rafael Medina ◽  
Marcela Ferres

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) increases morbidity and mortality. During 2014, at Hospital Clínico Red de Salud UC CHRISTUS (RS-UCCH), was estimated that 15% of viral respiratory infections were acquired during hospitalization, and influenza was the main etiologic agent. The aim of this study was to obtain clinical characterization of HAIs due to influenza virus in patients hospitalized in critical care units (CCU) and special care units (chronic patients who need hospitalized nurse care). Methods Descriptive study of CCU and special care patients with hospital acquired influenza during 2014–2017. HAI due to influenza was defined as: symptoms onset and/or positive influenza PCR ≥48 hours after hospital admission, without previous respiratory symptoms or with negative PCR. Results 22 patients with median age of 74 years old were identified, only three pediatric cases. The average time of acquired influenza was at 13th day of hospitalization. In 77% Influenza A was the only agent detected and 27% had respiratory co-infection. Thirteen (59%) were previously hospitalized in CCU, but only 2 (15%) due to respiratory problems. Nineteen patients (86%) presented comorbidity such as arterial hypertension (59%), chronic kidney disease (18%), and immunosuppression (18%). Half of them had a decompensation, mainly respiratory, associated to influenza infection. The observed lethality was 18%. Among all the influenza HAI, 59% occurred in unvaccinated patients, although 46% of them met criteria for vaccination recommendation. Conclusion HAI due to influenza occurred in chronic, older, and unvaccinated patients. Education about HAIs and continuing high vaccination coverage must be a priority. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S82-S82
Author(s):  
Zahra Kassamali Escobar ◽  
Todd Bouchard ◽  
Jose Mari Lansang ◽  
Scott Thomassen ◽  
Joanne Huang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Between 15–50% of patients seen in ambulatory settings are prescribed an antibiotic. At least one third of this usage is considered unnecessary. In 2019, our institution implemented the MITIGATE Toolkit, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for viral respiratory infections in emergency and urgent care settings. In February 2020 we identified our first hospitalized patient with SARS-CoV(2). In March, efforts to limit person-to-person contact led to shelter in place orders and substantial reorganization of our healthcare system. During this time we continued to track rates of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Methods This was a single center observational study. Electronic medical record data were accessed to determine antibiotic prescribing and diagnosis codes. We provided monthly individual feedback to urgent care prescribers, (Sep 2019-Mar 2020), primary care, and ED providers (Jan 2020 – Mar 2020) notifying them of their specific rate of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing and labeling them as a top performer or not a top performer compared to their peers. The primary outcome was rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Results Pre toolkit intervention, 14,398 patient visits met MITIGATE inclusion criteria and 12% received an antibiotic unnecessarily in Jan-April 2019. Post-toolkit intervention, 12,328 patient visits met inclusion criteria and 7% received an antibiotic unnecessarily in Jan-April 2020. In April 2020, patient visits dropped to 10–50% of what they were in March 2020 and April 2019. During this time the unnecessary antibiotic prescribing rate doubled in urgent care to 7.8% from 3.6% the previous month and stayed stable in primary care and the ED at 3.2% and 11.8% respectively in April compared to 4.6% and 10.4% in the previous month. Conclusion Rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing were reduced nearly in half from 2019 to 2020 across 3 ambulatory care settings. The increase in prescribing in April seen in urgent care and after providers stopped receiving their monthly feedback is concerning. Many factors may have contributed to this increase, but it raises concerns for increased inappropriate antibacterial usage as a side effect of the SARS-CoV(2) pandemic. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
Caterina Aurilio ◽  
Pasquale Sansone ◽  
Antonella Paladini ◽  
Manlio Barbarisi ◽  
Francesco Coppolino ◽  
...  

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is often complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome. The new coronavirus outbreak started in China in December 2019 and rapidly spread around the world. The high diffusibility of the virus was the reason for the outbreak of the pandemic viral disease, reaching more than 100 million infected people globally by the first three months of 2021. In the various treatments used up to now, the use of antimicrobial drugs for the management, especially of bacterial co-infections, is very frequent in patients admitted to intensive care. In addition, critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are subjected to prolonged mechanical ventilation and other therapeutic procedures often responsible for developing hospital co-infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria. Co-infections contribute to the increase in the morbidity–mortality of viral respiratory infections. We performed this study to review the recent articles published on the antibiotic bacterial resistance and viruses to predict risk factors of coronavirus disease 2019 and to assess the multidrug resistance in patients hospitalized in the COVID-19 area.


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