Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Clin Microbiol Infect 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Electronic address:

Objectives: We aimed to determine the viral epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients with and those without clinically-apparent respiratory tract infection.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted during the 2018 winter influenza season. Adult patients with fever/respiratory symptoms (fever/RS group) were age- and sex-matched with patients without fever/respiratory symptoms (non-fever/RS group) in a 1:1 ratio. Read More

Respirology 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Vaccine 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Cellular and Molecular Immunology Research Centre, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London, UK; Airway Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK. Electronic address:

Human rhinovirus (RV) infections are the principle cause of common colds and precipitate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Currently there is no vaccine for RV which is largely due to the existence of ∼160 serotypes/strains. We demonstrated previously that immunising mice with highly conserved VP4 and VP2 regions of the RV polyprotein (RV-A16 VP0) generated cross-reactive immunity to RV in vivo. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Apr 16;19(1):111. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, 20520, Turku, Finland.

Background: In children suffering from severe lower airway illnesses, respiratory virus detection has given good prognostic information, but such reports in the elderly are scarce. Therefore, our aim was to study whether the detection of nasopharyngeal viral pathogens and conventional inflammatory markers in the frail elderly correlate to the presence, signs and symptoms or prognosis of radiographically-verified pneumonia.

Methods: Consecutive episodes of hospital care of patients 65 years and older with respiratory symptoms (N = 382) were prospectively studied as a cohort. Read More

Wellcome Open Res 2018 27;3:128. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Epidemiology and Demography Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, +254, Kenya.

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the predominant cause of upper respiratory tract infections, resulting in a significant public health burden. The virus circulates as many different types (168), each generating strong homologous, but weak heterotypic, immunity. The influence of these features on transmission patterns of HRV in the community is understudied. Read More

Respirology 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Telethon Kids Institute, Centre for Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.

Background And Objective: Human rhinovirus (RV) is a common upper and lower respiratory pathogen in lung allograft recipients causing respiratory tract exacerbation and contributing towards allograft dysfunction and long-term lung decline. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that RV could infect both the small and large airways, resulting in significant inflammation.

Methods: Matched large and small airway epithelial cells (AEC) were obtained from five lung allograft recipients. Read More

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Departments of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

We investigated the effect of annual winter visitor restrictions on hospital respiratory virus transmission. The healthcare-associated (HA) viral respiratory infection (VRI) transmission index (number of HA VRIs per 100 inpatient community-associated VRIs) was 59% lower during the months in which visitor restrictions were implemented. These data prompt consideration for instituting year-round visitor restrictions. Read More

Cureus 2019 Feb 1;11(2):e3997. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, USA.

A previously healthy, 59-year-old female presented with respiratory distress and dry cough for one week. Outpatient radiographic findings were suspicious for basilar pneumonia. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics were started; however, she continued to deteriorate rapidly over the next 48 hours, with chest X-ray showing diffuse bilateral multifocal airspace opacities consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Read More

PLoS One 2019 15;14(4):e0215321. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America.

Current approaches to influenza control rely on vaccines matched to viruses in circulation. Universal influenza vaccines would offer the advantage of providing broad protection against diverse strains of influenza virus. Candidate universal vaccines are developed using model systems, often testing in naïve animals. Read More

J Clin Virol 2019 Apr 4;115:43-46. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, United States.

Background: Early and accurate detection of respiratory viruses (RV) is important for patient management. We have previously shown that self-collected nasal swabs (NS) are feasible and as sensitive as clinician-collected nasal washes for detection of RV, but the additive benefit of self-collected throat swabs is unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the added yield of self-collected nasal to throat swabs for detection of RV by PCR in patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. Read More

Multidiscip Respir Med 2019 1;14:11. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansura University, Mansura, Egypt.

Background: Respiratory viral and atypical bacterial infections data in Egyptian patients are sparse. This study describes the clinical features and outcomes of patients with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in hospitalized patients in Egypt.

Methods: SARI surveillance was implemented at Cairo University Hospital (CUH) during the period 2010-2014. Read More

Antiviral Res 2019 Apr 8;167:45-67. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

The International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Diseases held its 6th Antiviral Group (isirv-AVG) conference in Rockville, Maryland, November 13-15, 2018. The three-day program was focused on therapeutics towards seasonal and pandemic influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, coronaviruses including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, human rhinovirus, and other respiratory viruses. Updates were presented on several influenza antivirals including baloxavir, CC-42344, VIS410, immunoglobulin, immune plasma, MHAA4549A, pimodivir (JNJ-63623872), umifenovir, and HA minibinders; RSV antivirals including presatovir (GS-5806), ziresovir (AK0529), lumicitabine (ALS-008176), JNJ-53718678, JNJ-64417184, and EDP-938; broad spectrum antivirals such as favipiravir, VH244, remdesivir, and EIDD-1931/EIDD-2801; and host directed strategies including nitazoxanide, eritoran, and diltiazem. Read More

Tohoku J Exp Med 2019 04;247(4):215-222

Department of Advanced Preventive Medicine for Infectious Disease, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) exhibit physiological properties that include the activation of guanylate cyclase. NO inhibits replication of rhinovirus (RV), a major cause of the common cold and exacerbation of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the anti-rhinoviral effects of CO remain unclear. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2019 Apr 9. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong.

Background: Respiratory virus-laden particles are commonly detected in the exhaled breath of symptomatic patients or in air sampled from healthcare settings. However, the temporal relationship of detecting virus-laden particles at non-healthcare locations versus surveillance data obtained by conventional means has not been fully assessed.

Methods: From October 2016 to June 2018, air was sampled weekly from a university campus in Hong Kong. Read More

Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi 2019 Apr;42(4):254-261

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.

To determine the pattern of respiratory pathogens at bronchiectasis exacerbation and its associations with disease severity. A total of 119 steady-state bronchiectasis patients [42 males, 77 females, age range 19 to 74 years, mean age (45±14)years], diagnosed by a compatible history combined with evidence of bronchial dilatation on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), were recruited prospectively from out-patient clinics in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between September 2012 and March 2013. A comprehensive history taking, radiologic appearance, spirometry, sputum bacterial culture and 16 respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal swabs and sputum samples by PCR assays were collected at steady-state bronchiectasis. Read More

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2019 May;39(2):141-150

Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of Arizona, 1501 North Campbell, Room 2350, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. Electronic address:

Inappropriate responses to respiratory viruses, especially rhinovirus, and early allergic sensitization are the strongest contributors to the inception and persistence of early onset asthma. The ORMDL3 asthma locus in chromosome 17q seems to exert its effects by increasing susceptibility to human rhinovirus in early life. Being raised on animal farms is highly protective against the development of asthma, and this protective effect is mediated by exposure to microbes. Read More

Clin Sci (Lond) 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple University, 1157 MERB, 3500 N Broad Street, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19140, United States

Rhinovirus (RV), which is associated with acute exacerbations, also causes persistent lung inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the underlying mechanisms are not well-known.   Recently, we demonstrated that RV causes persistent lung inflammation with accumulation of a subset of macrophages (CD11b+/CD11c+), and CD8+ T cells, and progression of emphysema.  In this study, we examined the mechanisms underlying the RV-induced persistent inflammation and progression of emphysema in mice with COPD phenotype. Read More

J Clin Virol 2019 Mar 21;115:11-17. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, 52621, Israel; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. Electronic address:

Background: Human rhinoviruses (hRV) are small, RNA viruses of the Picornaviridae family, which are divided into three subtypes (A, B, C). hRVs are among the most common causes for acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) involving both the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the magnitude and characteristics of hRV infections in hospitalized children, aged less than 5 years, hospitalized in Israel during 2011-2012. Read More

PLoS One 2019 5;14(4):e0214207. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Fondation Mérieux, Lyon, France.

Respiratory diseases are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in many tropical countries, including Lao PDR. However, little has been published regarding viral or bacterial pathogens that can contribute to influenza-like illness (ILI) in a community setting. We report on the results of a community-based surveillance that prospectively monitored the incidence of ILI and its causative pathogens in Vientiane capital in Lao PDR. Read More

Infect Dis Clin North Am 2019 Jun 30;33(2):523-544. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L457, Portland, OR 97239, USA.

Respiratory virus infections in hematologic stem cell transplant recipients and patients with hematologic malignancies are increasingly recognized as a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The often overlapping clinical presentation makes molecular diagnostic strategies imperative for rapid diagnosis and to inform understanding of the changing epidemiology of each of the respiratory viruses. Most respiratory virus infections are managed with supportive therapy, although there is effective antiviral therapy for influenza. Read More

Allergy 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Depts. Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Activated eosinophils cause major pathology in stable and exacerbating asthma, however, they can also display protective properties like an extracellular anti-viral activity. Initial murine studies led us to further explore a potential intracellular anti-viral activity by eosinophils.

Methods: To follow eosinophil-virus interaction, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus were labeled with a fluorescent lipophilic dye (DiD). Read More

JAMA Pediatr 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Importance: Rhinovirus infection in early life, particularly with allergic sensitization, is associated with higher risks of developing recurrent wheeze and asthma. While emerging evidence links different rhinovirus species (eg, rhinovirus C) to a higher severity of infection and asthma exacerbation, to our knowledge, little is known about longitudinal associations of rhinovirus C infection during infancy with subsequent morbidities.

Objective: To examine the association of different viruses (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], rhinovirus species) in bronchiolitis with risks of developing recurrent wheeze. Read More

JAMA Pediatr 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, Denver, Colorado; Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Pediatrics National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado. Electronic address:

Background: Research in transformed, immortalized cell lines indicates the cadherin-related family member 3 (CDHR3) protein serves as a receptor for human rhinovirus C (HRV-C). Similar experiments indicate the CDHR3 coding variant, rs6967330, increases CDHR3 protein surface expression.

Objective: To determine if CDHR3 is necessary for HRV-C infection of primary airway epithelial cells (AECs), and to identify molecular mechanisms by which CDHR3 variants confer risk for asthma exacerbations. Read More

J Innate Immun 2019 Mar 29:1-13. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA,

The negative immune regulator Tollip inhibits the proinflammatory response to rhinovirus (RV) infection, a contributor to airway neutrophilic inflammation and asthma exacerbations, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Tollip may inhibit IRAK1, a signaling molecule downstream of ST2, the receptor of IL-33. This study was carried out to determine whether Tollip downregulates ST2 signaling via inhibition of IRAK1, but promotes soluble ST2 (sST2) production, thereby limiting excessive IL-8 production in human airway epithelial cells during RV infection in a type 2 cytokine milieu (e. Read More

BMJ Open 2019 Mar 30;9(3):e026895. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

Objective: Pneumonia remains the leading cause of hospitalisations and deaths among children aged <5 years. Diverse respiratory pathogens cause acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia. Here, we analysed viral and bacterial pathogens and risk factors associated with death of hospitalised children. Read More

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2019 Mar 27. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pediatrics, Madison, Wisconsin, United States ;

Cadherin-related family member 3 (CDHR3) is a transmembrane protein that is highly expressed in airway epithelia and the only known receptor for rhinovirus C (RV-C). A CDHR3 SNP (rs6967330) with 'G' to 'A' base change, has been linked to severe exacerbations of asthma and increased susceptibility to RV-C infections in young children. The goals of this study were to determine the subcellular localization of CDHR3 and to test the hypothesis that CDHR3 asthma-risk genotype affects epithelial cell function and susceptibility to RV-C infections of the airway epithelia. Read More

J Virol Methods 2019 Mar 22;269:1-6. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address:

Background: The role of respiratory viruses as the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) in children is becoming increasingly evident due to the use of sensitive molecular detection methods. The aim of this study was to use conventional and molecular detection methods to assess the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in children less than five years of age that were hospitalized with ALRTIs.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the occurrence of respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytisl virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza virus A and B (IFV-A and B), parainfluenzavirus 1, 2, 3 and 4 (PIV 1, 2, 3 and 4), human rhinoviruses (HRV), human enterovirus (HEV), human coronaviruses (HCoV) 229E and OC43, human bocavirus (HBoV) and human adenovirus (HAdV) in hospitalized children with ALRTIs, at Hospital Serdang, Malaysia, from June 16 to December 21, 2009. Read More

Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, United States.

Asthma exacerbations are often caused by rhinovirus (RV). We and others have shown that TLR2, a membrane surface receptor that recognizes bacterial lipopeptides and lipoteichoic acid, is required and sufficient for RV-induced pro-inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that viral protein (VP)-4, an internal capsid protein which is myristoylated upon viral replication and externalized upon viral binding, is a ligand for TLR2. Read More

Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 2019 27;345:1-33. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Meakins Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address:

Recent advances indicate that there is crosstalk between allergic disorders and nucleic acid sensing. Triggers that activate inflammatory mechanisms via nucleic acid sensors affect both allergic phenotypes and anti-viral responses, depending on the timing and the order of exposure. Viral respiratory infections, such as those caused by the rhinovirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, are the most frequent cause of significant asthma exacerbations through effects mediated predominantly by TLR3. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Mar 22. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

Background: The data on the seasonality of respiratory viruses helps to ensure the optimal vaccination period and to monitor the possible outbreaks of variant type.

Objectives: This study was designed to describe the molecular epidemiology and seasonality of acute respiratory infection (ARI)-related respiratory viruses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: Both upper and lower respiratory specimens were collected for the analysis from all the patients who visited the Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital (SKSH) with ARI for over 2 years. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.

Aim: Our aim was to compare the presence of various common viruses (rhinovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, norovirus, parechovirus) in stool and nasal swab samples as well as virus-specific antibodies in serum samples between children who developed coeliac disease and controls.

Methods: A case-control study was established based on the DIABIMMUNE Study cohorts. During the study, eight Estonian children and 21 Finnish children aged 1. Read More

Antiviral Res 2019 04;164:176

Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315 Moscow, Russia.

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2019 Apr;38(4):355-361

From the Department of Pediatrics.

Background: Molecular diagnostic methods enhance the sensitivity and broaden the spectrum of detectable respiratory viruses in febrile infants ≤90 days of life. We describe the occurrence of respiratory viruses in this population, as well as the rates of serious bacterial infection (SBI) and respiratory viral coinfection with regard to viral characteristics.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study performed in the emergency department that included previously healthy febrile infants ≤90 days of life. Read More

J Asthma 2019 Mar 18:1-4. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

a Division of Pulmonology , Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children , Wilmington , DE , USA.

Objective: Evolving research links human rhinovirus (HRV) with status asthmaticus (SA) as well as severe respiratory illness in patients with atopy and asthma. This case series reviews five episodes of HRV-associated SA that required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods: Charts of four patients, five total episodes of ECMO, with SA secondary to HRV were reviewed in this IRB-approved case series. Read More

J Asthma 2019 Mar 18:1-9. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

a Department of Respiratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University , Jinzhou , China.

Objective: Human rhinoviruses (RVs) are a type of common respiratory virus capable of inducing an asthma attack. Although mast cells are important effector cells involved in allergic disease, little is known about the direct effects of an RV infection on mast cells. The aim of this study is to investigate mast cell behavior in response to RV infection and gain insight into the effects of RVs on mast cells. Read More

Eur Respir Rev 2019 Mar 14;28(151). Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Hospital Belfast, Belfast, UK

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the third most common cause of global mortality. Acute exacerbations of COPD frequently necessitate hospital admission to enable more intensive therapy, incurring significant healthcare costs. COPD exacerbations are also associated with accelerated lung function decline and increased risk of mortality. Read More

Epidemiol Infect 2019 Jan;147:e90

Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital,Tampere,Finland.

Enteric pathogens have been related to child undernutrition. Whereas there are lots of data on enteric bacterial microbiota and infections, much less is known about the incidence of prevalence of intestinal colonisation with viruses or important parasitic species. This study assessed the presence of selected viruses and parasites in stools of 469, 354, 468 Malawian children at 6, 12 and 18 months. Read More

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019 Apr 14;103(8):3393-3406. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.

Production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in Escherichia coli mostly results in the formation of inclusion bodies. In the present study, IGF1 was fused to disulfide bond oxidoreductase A (DsbA) and expressed in SHuffle™ T7 strain, in order to obtain correctly folded protein. Soluble expression and IMAC purification of DsbA-IGF1 were optimized by applying the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Mar 13. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Biotechnology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.

Previous data about the role of viruses in the development of allergic immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization are contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine the possible associations between exposure to different viruses (rhinovirus, enterovirus, norovirus, and parechovirus) during the first year of life and IgE sensitization. Viruses were analyzed from stool samples collected monthly from infants participating in a prospective birth cohort study. Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2019 Mar 8. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. Electronic address:

Background: Viral respiratory tract infections are frequent among Hajj pilgrims. However, it is still not known whether viruses are responsible for the symptoms observed in sick pilgrims or whether they only colonize sick and asymptomatic pilgrims.

Patients And Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among French Hajj pilgrims in 2016. Read More

Brain Dev 2019 Mar 5. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Department of Neurology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, 779 Shimohakoda, Hokkitsu-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-8577, Japan.

Background: Rhinovirus is a common respiratory pathogen for children throughout the year; nevertheless, its central nervous system involvement is extremely rare, and only two cases have been reported to date: meningitis and sepsis-like illness.

Patient: A previously healthy 2-year-old Japanese boy developed fever, followed by seizures and lethargy. His cerebrospinal fluid cell count and protein level were slightly increased; brain magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormal intensities in the bilateral cerebellar dentate nuclei, which were prominent in diffusion-weighted images. Read More

J Infect Dis 2019 Mar 8. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh.

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) constitute a substantial disease burden in adults and elderly individuals. We aimed to identify all case-control studies investigating the potential role of respiratory viruses in the etiology of ARI in older adults aged ≥65 years. We conducted a systematic literature review (across 7 databases) of case-control studies published from 1996 to 2017 that investigated the viral profile of older adults with and those without ARI. Read More

PLoS One 2019 7;14(3):e0213501. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the main cause of bronchiolitis during the first year of life, when infections by other viruses, such as rhinovirus, also occur and are clinically indistinguishable from those caused by HRSV. In hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis, the analysis of gene expression profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) may be useful for the rapid identification of etiological factors, as well as for developing diagnostic tests, and elucidating pathogenic mechanisms triggered by different viral agents. In this study we conducted a comparative global gene expression analysis of PBMC obtained from two groups of infants with acute viral bronchiolitis who were infected by HRSV (HRSV group) or by HRV (HRV group). Read More

PLoS One 2019 6;14(3):e0210102. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

Pneumonia severity index (PSI) is an important scoring system that can assess the severity of community acquired pneumonia and determine admission status. However, there is a lack of research on whether this scoring system can be applied to viral community acquired pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of PSI in viral community acquired pneumonia. Read More

Infect Dis Model 2018 19;3:23-34. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

While influenza has been simulated extensively to better understand its behavior and predict future outbreaks, most other respiratory viruses have seldom been simulated. In this study, we provide an overview of four common respiratory viral infections: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), respiratory adenovirus, rhinovirus and parainfluenza, present specimen data collected 2004-2014, and simulate outbreaks in 19 overlapping regions in the United States. Pairing a compartmental model and data assimilation methods, we infer key epidemiological parameters governing transmission: the basic reproductive number and length of infection . Read More

Viruses 2019 Mar 4;11(3). Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Influenza Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are classified into three species: RV-A, B, and C. Unlike RV-A and -B, RV-C cannot be propagated using standard cell culture systems. In order to isolate RV-Cs from clinical specimens and gain a better understanding of their biological properties and pathogenesis, we established air⁻liquid-interface (ALI) culture methods using HBEC3-KT and HSAEC1-KT immortalized human airway epithelial cells. Read More

Metabolomics 2018 Oct 1;14(10):135. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2525 West End Avenue, Suite 450, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants causes significant morbidity and is the strongest risk factor associated with asthma. Metabolites, which reflect the interactions between host cell and virus, provide an opportunity to identify the pathways that underlie severe infections and asthma development.

Objective: To study metabolic profile differences between infants with RSV infection, and human rhinovirus (HRV) infection, and healthy infants. Read More

J Cyst Fibros 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.

Background: Viral infections contribute to morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF), but the impact of respiratory viruses on the development of airway disease is poorly understood.

Methods: Infants with CF identified by newborn screening were enrolled prior to 4 months of age to participate in a prospective observational study at 4 centers. Clinical data were collected at clinic visits and weekly phone calls. Read More

Clin Transplant 2019 Feb 28:e13511. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

These updated guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation review the diagnosis, prevention, and management of RNA respiratory viral infections in the pre- and post-transplant period. Viruses reviewed include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and coronavirus. Diagnosis is by nucleic acid testing due to improved sensitivity, specificity, broad range of detection of viral pathogens, automatization, and turnaround time. Read More