Review
Immunology
Beata Tokarz-Deptula, Joanna Palma, Lukasz Baraniecki, Michal Stosik, Roman Kolacz, Wieslaw Deptula
Summary: Platelets play a role in inflammation and infections by reacting with the endovascular environment and cells of the immune system. This role is influenced by biologically active substances present in platelet granules and EV structures.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Justine Oliva, Olivier Terrier
Summary: Respiratory tract infections pose a significant public health problem, with viral-bacterial co-infections playing a key role in the severity of these infections. Understanding the mechanisms of these co-infections at physiological and immunological levels is crucial, as well as exploring the importance of the microbiome and pathological context in the evolution of co-infections.
Review
Virology
Tarani Kanta Barman, Dennis W. Metzger
Summary: This review discusses the role of disease tolerance in viral-bacterial co-infection, focusing on host cytokines and cells that promote tissue protection and damage control.
Review
Allergy
Sophia Volpe, Joseph Irish, Sunny Palumbo, Eric Lee, Jacob Herbert, Ibrahim Ramadan, Eugene H. Chang
Summary: Viral infections are a common cause of upper respiratory infections and can lead to chronic rhinosinusitis. Viruses enter cells and replicate within them, while stimulating interferon-mediated immune responses. Studies suggest that viral infections may induce aberrant immune responses, resulting in loss of barrier function.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Pamella Constantino-Teles, Albane Jouault, Lhousseine Touqui, Alessandra Mattos Saliba
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, causes respiratory infections by utilizing various virulence factors, such as bacterial lipids and enzymes, and by interacting with host lipids. These mechanisms play important roles in the establishment and persistence of P. aeruginosa in the lungs, as well as in modulating host immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vijay Singh, Pallavi Upadhyay, Jairus Reddy, John Granger
Summary: This study investigated bacterial and viral co-infections in COVID-19 patients and found a lower rate of viral co-infections overall, but significant levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Epstein-Barr virus co-infections in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. The findings contribute to our understanding of the current pandemic and can assist clinicians in making better patient care decisions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nicole Maison, Jimmy Omony, Sophia Rinderknecht, Laura Kolberg, Melanie Meyer-Buehn, Erika von Mutius, Johannes Huebner, Ulrich von Both
Summary: Following COVID-19 lockdown measures, respiratory tract infections increased worldwide, specifically affecting children's hospitals. Changes in the epidemiological pattern of respiratory viral infections were observed, with a higher number of virus detections and a shift in the pattern of infections.
Article
Immunology
Emma M. de Koff, Marlies A. van Houten, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Debby Bogaert
Summary: Clinical presentation of HCoV infections in children varies, with HCoV-associated lower respiratory tract infections often co-occurring with respiratory syncytial virus and higher abundance of Haemophilus influenzae/haemolyticus. Viral and bacterial cooccurrence may drive symptoms of HCoV-associated infections.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Virology
Daniel Penela-Sanchez, Jon Gonzalez-de-Audicana, Georgina Armero, Desiree Henares, Cristina Esteva, Mariona-Fernandez de-Sevilla, Silvia Ricart, Iolanda Jordan, Pedro Brotons, Maria Cabrerizo, Carmen Munoz-Almagro, Cristian Launes
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical impact of rhinovirus (RV) and enterovirus (EV) infections in young children with severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). It found that single RV/EV detections were associated with severe disease, while multiple viral detections resulted in reduced clinical severity. Furthermore, no specific associations were found between RV/EV species and severity outcomes.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rodrigo C. Menezes, Isabella B. B. Ferreira, Luciana Sobral, Stefania L. Garcia, Hugo N. Pustilnik, Mariana Araujo-Pereira, Bruno B. Andrade
Summary: This study aimed to identify the clinical features associated with viral pathogens responsible for severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children. The study found that different viral agents have distinct associations with clinical features in children.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina Spacova, Ilke De Boeck, Peter A. Bron, Peter Delputte, Sarah Lebeer
Summary: Microbial therapeutics show potential in preventing and treating respiratory viral diseases, especially when applied directly to the airways. Established mechanisms in the probiotics field and novel insights specific to the airways contribute to understanding the potential benefits of beneficial bacteria against viral infections.
TRENDS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yingzhi Liu, Lowell Ling, Sunny H. Wong, Maggie H. T. Wang, J. Ross Fitzgerald, Xuan Zou, Shisong Fang, Xiaodong Liu, Xiansong Wang, Wei Hu, Hung Chan, Yan Wang, Dan Huang, Qing Li, Wai Wong, Gordon Choi, Huachun Zou, David S. C. Hui, Jun Yu, Gary Tse, Tony Gin, William K. K. Wu, Matthew T. Chan, Lin Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the clinical features and outcomes of patients with viral-bacterial respiratory tract co-infections in Hong Kong. The results showed that bacterial co-infection is common in hospitalized patients with viral respiratory tract infection and is associated with higher ICU admission rate and mortality. Active surveillance for bacterial co-infection and early antibiotic treatment may be required to improve outcomes in patients with respiratory viral infection.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Cui Wang, Zhaoxiang Du, Ranhui Li, Ying Luo, Cuiming Zhu, Nan Ding, Aihua Lei
Summary: Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are crucial for type 2 pulmonary immunity and play a significant role in allergic diseases and virus-induced respiratory diseases. Interferons (IFNs), a family of cytokines with antiviral effects, have been found to modulate ILC2 responses in allergic lung inflammation and viral infections.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Pablo J. Bertrand, Yaneisi Vazquez, Andrea A. Beckhaus, Liliana A. Gonzalez, Ana Maria Contreras, Marcela Ferres, Oslando Padilla, Claudia A. Riedel, Alexis M. Kalergis, Susan M. Bueno
Summary: The study suggests that IL-8 and IL-33 are significantly increased in lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV and could be potential biomarkers for clinical severity in children with LRTIs.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Allergy
Berber Vlieg-Boerstra, Nicolette de Jong, Rosan Meyer, Carlo Agostoni, Valentina De Cosmi, Kate Grimshaw, Gregorio Paolo Milani, Antonella Muraro, Hanneke Oude Elberink, Isabella Pali-Scholl, Caroline Roduit, Mari Sasaki, Isabel Skypala, Milena Sokolowska, Marloes van Splunter, Eva Untersmayr, Carina Venter, Liam O'Mahony, Bright Nwaru
Summary: Nutrient supplementation for the general population appears to have limited effectiveness in preventing respiratory tract infections, with zinc supplementation showing potential protective effects in children in Asia and vitamin D supplementation reducing the incidence of RTIs in adults in North America.
Article
Immunology
Seweryn Bialasiewicz, Meryta May, Sarah Tozer, Rebecca Day, Anne Bernard, Julian Zaugg, Kyana Gartrell, Soren Alexandersen, Anthony Chamings, Claire Y. T. Wang, Julia Clark, Keith Grimwood, Claire Heney, Luregn Schlapbach, Robert S. Ware, David Speers, Ross M. Andrews, Stephen Lambert
Summary: A study found that the recombinant strain of human parechovirus 3 (HPeV3-AR) was the dominant strain in the outbreaks of sepsis-like illnesses in infants in Australia. However, this strain was not associated with increased disease severity.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Brian M. Forde, Haakon Bergh, Thom Cuddihy, Krispin Hajkowicz, Trish Hurst, E. Geoffrey Playford, Belinda C. Henderson, Naomi Runnegar, Julia Clark, Amy Jennison, Susan Moss, Anna Hume, Hugo Leroux, Scott A. Beatson, David L. Paterson, Patrick N. A. Harris
Summary: This study implemented a program of routine sequencing of multi-drug resistant organisms and used custom analysis pipeline to automate reporting and support infection control interventions. The results showed the identification of transmission events within three hospitals, highlighting the feasibility of routine WGS for MDR pathogens.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Allergy
Jeremy Anderson, Lien Anh Ha Do, Danielle Wurzel, Paul V. Licciardi
Summary: Preterm birth is linked to abnormal lung development and higher risk of chronic lung diseases, including asthma. The higher rate of viral infections and altered microbiomes in preterm infants compared to term infants may contribute to the development of asthma. Therefore, investigating the immunological differences between preterm and term infants will provide valuable insights into the immunological basis of asthma susceptibility and inform interventions to reduce the burden of asthma in this population.
Article
Respiratory System
Annemarie L. Lee, Rebecca Smith, Lucy Burr, Anne B. Chang, Chien-Li Holmes-Liew, Paul King, Peter Middleton, Lucy Morgan, Daniel Smith, Rachel Thomson, Grant Waterer, Conroy Wong, Rachael McAleer
Summary: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of adults with bronchiectasis on relevant educational topics in a pulmonary rehabilitation context. The study found that people with bronchiectasis have a greater need for clarity on the underlying cause and prognosis of the condition. They also seek knowledge on self-management strategies, treatment options for extra-pulmonary symptoms, and information on physiotherapy and exercise outside of pulmonary rehabilitation.
CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Keith Grimwood, Anne B. Chang
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Virology
Xiaomin Dong, Yi-Mo Deng, Ammar Aziz, Paul Whitney, Julia Clark, Patrick Harris, Catherine Bautista, Anna-Maria Costa, Gregory Waller, Andrew J. Daley, Megan Wieringa, Tony Korman, Ian G. Barr
Summary: This study developed a rapid and simplified amplicon-based one-step multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The new method showed a success rate of 83.5% and achieved full coverage of the genome for 98 RSV-A and 74 RSV-B from 206 RSV positive clinical samples collected in Australia in 2020 and 2021.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Aristotelis Zografos, Helena A. All, Alice B. Chang, Marc A. Hillmyer, Frank S. Bates
Summary: A series of model poly((+/-)-lactide) graft copolymers were synthesized and used to study the transition from star-like to bottlebrush structure in shear and extensional flows. Small-amplitude oscillatory shear and extensional rheometry measurements were conducted on samples with different backbone degrees of polymerization. The transition from star-like to bottlebrush structure occurred at a backbone degree of polymerization between 50 and 69. In extensional flows, the star-like melts exhibited no melt strain hardening, while the bottlebrush melts showed prominent strain hardening. These findings are important for designing bottlebrush materials with strain hardening properties for various processing methods involving extensional flows.
Article
Respiratory System
Anne B. Chang, Scott C. Bell, Catherine A. Byrnes, Paul Dawkins, Anne E. Holland, Emma Kennedy, Paul T. King, Pamela Laird, Sarah Mooney, Lucy Morgan, Marianne Parsons, Betty Poot, Maree Toombs, Paul J. Torzillo, Keith Grimwood
Summary: This position statement provides updated guidelines for the management of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD) and bronchiectasis in Australian and New Zealand children/adolescents and adults. The guidelines emphasize early diagnosis, using chest computed-tomography scans, and a baseline panel of investigations to assess severity and develop individualized management plans. Intensive treatment is recommended to improve symptom control and lung function, while individualized airway clearance techniques, regular exercise, and proper nutrition are also important. Exacerbations should be treated with appropriate antibiotics, and ongoing care and monitoring are crucial, especially for under-served populations.
Article
Pediatrics
Samuel Menahem, Arvind Sehgal, Danielle F. Wurzel
Summary: Tachypnoea in newborns can be caused by respiratory distress syndrome, congenital heart disease, space-occupying lesions, metabolic causes, etc. This paper focuses on infants with persistent or developing tachypnoea beyond the newborn period, including causes originating from the newborn period such as pulmonary hypoplasia or polycythemia. Other potential causes include congenital cardiac abnormalities, respiratory issues, and infections. There are also some infants who have persistent tachypnoea but remain well with normal investigations. How to approach these infants with persistent tachypnoea is discussed.
Article
Respiratory System
Amy S. Bleakley, Steven Kho, Michael J. Binks, Susan Pizzutto, Anne B. Chang, Jemima Beissbarth, Gabriela Minigo, Robyn L. Marsh
Summary: ETs in paediatric bronchiectasis can be detected using light microscopy-based assessment of Romanowsky-stained bronchoalveolar lavage slides. Neutrophil, macrophage, eosinophil, and lymphocyte ETs were observed, along with indeterminate ETs. Further research is needed to understand the potential clinical applications and therapies related to ETs in bronchiectasis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anne B. Chang, Richard S. Irwin, Hannah E. O'Farrell, Peter V. Dicpinigaitis, Suhani Goel, Ahmad Kantar, Julie M. Marchant
Summary: Chronic cough is a common symptom in children and adults, and there are specific management guidelines for children. The concept of 'cough hypersensitivity syndrome', which has gained attention in adult literature, may not be applicable to children due to significant differences in respiratory physiology and anatomy. This article explores the differences between childhood and adult chronic cough, explains cough hypersensitivity, and argues against its use in children.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elizabeth White, Amy Legg, Alexandra Bogart, Nicolette Graham, Faten Jebreen, Julia E. Clark
Summary: This retrospective analysis examines the use of sotrovimab in 32 at-risk children with COVID-19, providing dosing recommendations and demonstrating its feasibility in the pediatric population under 12 years old and under 40 kg.
JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Julie M. Marchant, Anne B. Chang, Emma Kennedy, David King, Jennifer L. Perret, Andre Schultz, Maree R. Toombs, Lesley Versteegh, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Rebecca Dingle, Naomi Fitzerlakey, Johnson George, Anne Holland, Debbie Rigby, Jennifer Mann, Stuart Mazzone, Mearon Obrien, Kerry-Ann O'Grady, Helen L. Petsky, Jonathan Pham, Sheree M. S. Smith, Danielle F. Wurze, Anne E. Vertigan, Peter Wark
Summary: Cough is a common symptom that leads to doctor consultations, and chronic cough can result in significant healthcare costs and impair quality of life. Assessment should include a detailed history, examination, and necessary tests to identify underlying diseases. Different diagnostic algorithms should be followed for children and adults. First Nations adults and children should be considered at high risk.
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)