Probiotic Effects against Virus Infections: New Weapons for an Old War

This review aimed to gather the available literature investigating the effects of probiotics against the most common viral infections using in vitro trials in cell lines and in vivo clinical trials in both experimental animals and humans. Probiotics were employed to prevent and reduce symptoms of infections caused by common viruses, especially respiratory tract viruses, but also for viral digestive infections (such as rotavirus, coronavirus, or norovirus) and other viral infections (such as viruses that cause hepatitis, human papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, and herpes simplex virus). Different probiotics have been studied to see their possible effect against the abovementioned viruses, among which different Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus can be highlighted. In many cases, mixtures of various probiotic strains were used. Although the results obtained did not show similar results, in most cases, probiotic supplementation improved both barrier and biochemical immune responses, decreased susceptibility to viral infections, and enhanced the effects of concomitant vaccines. Works collected in this review show a beneficial effect of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of different viral infections. We found interesting results related to the prevention of viral infections, reduction of the duration of diseases, and decrease of symptoms.

COVID-19 in Pediatric Long-Term Care: How Infection Control and Prevention Practices Minimized the Impact of the Pandemic on Healthcare Providers and Residents

Children in pediatric long-term care (LTC) facilities are commonly infected with respiratory tract viruses as they have many high-risk co-morbidities and require significant interactions with the healthcare team. From previous studies, we know that infected staff can often be the source of transmission of infection to the children. If instituted quickly, infection control practices can help mitigate the spread of infection. We will describe how Sunshine Children’s Home and Rehabilitation Center responded to federal and state infection control and prevention mandates in LTC for COVID-19. We will report our practice changes, staff and resident screening, and testing results as well as outcomes of the COVID-19-infected cases. The outcomes for COVID-19 infection among pediatric LTC staff and residents are in stark contrast to the data available for the adult providers and residents in adult nursing homes. Implementation and change in infection control practices and procedures resulted in much fewer cases of COVID-19 infection in our pediatric LTC residents.

Respiratory tract viruses

Viral respiratory infections, including coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, and influenza viruses, are a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Transmission occurs through direct contact, contaminated fomites, and large airborne droplets, with long-range transmission by small particle aerosols reported in at least some instances of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Clinical syndromes affect the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, including coryza, pharyngitis, croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Each syndrome can potentially be caused by several viruses, and each respiratory virus can be associated with different clinical syndromes. Measles is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections and fatality in tropical countries.

Respiratory tract viruses

Viral respiratory infections, including rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, and influenza viruses, are a substantial cause of morbidity worldwide. Transmission occurs through direct contact, contaminated fomites, and large airborne droplets, with long-range transmission by small particle aerosols reported in at least some instances of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Clinical syndromes affect the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, including coryza, pharyngitis, croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Each syndrome can potentially be caused by several viruses, and each respiratory virus can be associated with different clinical syndromes. Measles is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections and fatality in tropical countries.