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Respiratory Tract Disease (respiratory + tract_disease)
Kinds of Respiratory Tract Disease Selected AbstractsMatrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in the respiratory tracts of human infants following paramyxovirus infectionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2007Matthew B. Elliott Abstract Respiratory syncytial (RSV) and parainfluenza (PIV) viruses are primary causes of acute bronchiolitis and wheezing illnesses in infants and young children. To further understand inflammation in the airways following infection, we tested for the presence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and natural tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP) in primary and established human cell lines, and in the nasopharyngeal secretions (NPS) of human infants infected with RSV or PIV. Using ELISA and multiplex-based assays, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 proteins were, respectively, detected in 66/67 and 67/67 NPS. During PIV or RSV infection TIMP-1 concentrations were associated with hypoxic bronchiolitis. TIMP-1 amounts were also negatively correlated with O2 saturation, and positively correlated with IL-6, MIP-1,, and G-CSF amounts following RSV infection. IL-6, MIP-1,, and G-CSF were negatively correlated with O2 saturation during RSV infection. Acute respiratory tract disease was not associated with MMP-9 protein/protease activity. Additional studies using real-time quantitative PCR suggested that MMP-9 mRNA copy numbers were elevated in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells infected with RSV, while TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not increased. However, ELISA did not reveal MMP-9 protein in the NHBE cell culture supernatants. Hence, the data implied that airway epithelial cells were not the primary source of MMP or TIMP following paramyxovirus infection. Taken together, the data suggested that paramyxovirus infection perturbs MMP-9/TIMP-1 homeostasis that in turn may contribute to the severity of respiratory tract disease. J. Med. Virol. 79:447,456, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Vedaprofen therapy in cats with upper respiratory tract infection or following ovariohysterectomyJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2007S. Lopez Objectives: The antipyretic and analgesic efficacy of vedaprofen (at a dose of 0·5 mg/kg) was evaluated after repeated once-daily administration (for three or five days) to 80 cats with upper respiratory tract disease or 302 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Methods: Both clinical trials were randomised, double blinded and placebo controlled. Results: In the upper respiratory tract disease trial, vedaprofen produced a significant reduction in rectal temperature when compared with cats administered antimicrobial treatment only. This antipyretic activity lasted at least four hours after administration on the first day of treatment (day 0) and at least eight hours on day 1 and day 2. Significantly more cats in the treatment group were classified as having returned to normal on day 5, day 6 and day 7 compared with the placebo group. In the ovariohysterectomy trial, scores for behaviour (on day 1, day 2 and day 3) and appetite (on day 1 and day 2) were significantly better in the vedaprofen group than in the placebo-treated cats. Clinical Significance: Vedaprofen produced a clinically relevant reduction in body temperature and a more rapid return to normality in cats with upper respiratory tract disease. Vedaprofen treatment also resulted in more rapid recovery, presumably through the relief of pain and inflammation, in cats that had undergone soft tissue surgery. [source] Prevalence of gastrointestinal tract lesions in 73 brachycephalic dogs with upper respiratory syndromeJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2005C. M. Poncet Objectives: To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal tract lesions in brachycephalic dogs with upper respiratory tract disease. Methods: The gastrointestinal tract and respiratory disorders of 73 brachycephalic dogs presented with upper respiratory signs were evaluated. Clinical signs and endoscopic and histological anomalies of the upper digestive tract were analysed. Results: A very high prevalence of gastrointestinal tract problems brachycephalic dogs presented with upper respiratory problems was observed clinically, endoscopically and histologically. Endoscopic anomalies of the upper digestive tract were present even in dogs without digestive clinical signs. Furthermore, histological evaluation of the digestive tract sometimes showed inflammatory lesions not macroscopically visible at endoscopy. Statistical analysis showed a relationship between the severity of the respiratory and digestive signs. This was significant in French bulldogs, males and heavy brachycephalic dogs. Clinical Significance: These observations show a correlation between upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract problems in brachycephalic breeds with upper respiratory disease. Surgical treatment of respiratory disease could improve the digestive clinical signs, and/or gastro-oesophageal medical treatment could improve the outcome for surgically treated brachycephalic dogs. [source] Flow cytometric method for quantifying viable Mycoplasma agassizii, an agent of upper respiratory tract disease in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010H.A. Mohammadpour Abstract Aims:,Mycoplasma agassizii can cause upper respiratory tract disease in the threatened desert tortoise of the Southwestern United States. Two technical challenges have impeded critical microbiological studies of this microorganism: (i) its small size limits the use of light microscopy for cell counting and (ii) its extremely slow growth in broth and agar cultures impedes colony counting. Our aim was to develop a rapid and sensitive flow cytometric method using a vital fluorescent dye to enumerate viable M. agassizii cells. Methods and Results:, Here, we demonstrate that the nonfluorescent molecule 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-CF) diacetate acetoxymethyl ester penetrates M. agassizii cell membranes and it is converted in the cytoplasm to the fluorescent molecule 5-CF by the action of intracellular esterases. Labelled mycoplasma cells can be easily detected by flow cytometry, and cultures with as few as 100 viable mycoplasma cells ml,1 can be labelled and counted in less than 1 h. Experiments using temperature-induced cell death demonstrated that only viable M. agassizii cells are labelled with this procedure. Conclusions:, A rapid and sensitive flow cytometric technique has been developed for enumerating viable M. agassizii cells. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This technique should facilitate basic immunological, biochemical and pharmacological studies of this important pathogen which may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. [source] New insights into pediatric rhinosinusitisPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2007N. Principi Rhinosinusitis is a common children's disease. Most cases are acute, follow an episode of common cold, and are the consequence of a superimposed bacterial infection. If mild, they are characterized by the persistence of signs and symptoms of upper respiratory tract disease for more than 10 days; if severe, they involve fever and a purulent nasal discharge, and can cause a substantial decline in general health. Recurrent acute or chronic cases are usually diagnosed in children with predisposing factors, such as recurrent respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, ciliary dyskinesia, anatomic abnormalities or reflux. Therapy is based on antibiotics, administered orally in mild, and intravenously in severe cases. On the basis of recently highlighted antibiotic resistances and the possibility of spontaneous resolution, experts agree in considering amoxicillin the drug of choice for mild cases, and an antibiotic capable of overcoming all possible resistance for severe cases. [source] Effects of socioeconomic status on presentation with acute lower respiratory tract disease in children in Salvador, Northeast BrazilPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Cristiana M. Nascimento-Carvalho MD Abstract Two different socioeconomic groups of children with pneumonia were studied, and their clinical and demographic aspects were evaluated. The diagnosis of pneumonia was based on findings of cough and tachypnea, or on crackles on auscultation or on radiologically confirmed infiltrate. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at the Professor Hosannah de Oliveira Pediatric Center, which cares for children of lower socioeconomic status (PHOPC), and at one private hospital which cares for children from middle to high socioeconomic status (Aliança Hospital, AH). Demographics and clinical differences were assessed by the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate; means of continuous variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U-test. In a 26-month period, 3,431 cases were recruited. The 2,476 cases identified at the PHOPC were younger than the 955 identified at AH (2.2,±,2.3 vs. 4.5,±,3.1 years, P,<,0.0001) and had higher scores for severity (3.5,±,1.5 vs. 2.7,±,1.7, P,<,0.0001), duration of hospitalization (days) (10.9,±,12.1 vs. 6.2,±,7, P,<,0.0001), frequency of tobacco smoker in the household (48% vs. 31%, P,<,0.0001), cardiopathy (15.3% vs. 5.9%, P,=,0.003), fever (44.4% vs. 36.3%, P,=,0.0001), tachypnea (67.6% vs. 32.3%, P,<,0.0001), crackles (69.5% vs. 64.9%, P,=,0.02), somnolence (19.9% vs. 10.4%, P,<,0.0001), malnutrition (13.7% vs. 5%, P,<,0.0001), hospitalization rate (27.4% vs. 22.5%, P,=,0.003), and death (0.9% vs. 0.1%, P,=,0.009). However, other features were more frequent among AH cases: parent's university level of education (38.2% vs. 1.0%, P,<,0.0001), underlying chronic illness (40.6% vs. 28.5%, P,<,0.0001), asthma (62.7% vs. 50.8%, P,=,0.01), rhinitis (9.2% vs. 0.4%, P,<,0.0001), previous use of antibiotics (34.3% vs. 27.1%, P,=,0.001), and wheezing (53.1% vs. 42.2%, P,<,0.0001). Children of lower socioeconomic status have more serious lower respiratory tract disease, whereas children with pneumonia of middle to high socioeconomic status have more allergic diseases (rhinitis, asthma) and wheezing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 33:244,248. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Pneumonia due to Mycobacterium abscessus in two domestic ferrets (Mustelo putorius furo)AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 9 2005JA LUNN Two ferrets were diagnosed with pneumonia due to Mycobacterium abscessus. Both cases were treated successfully using clarithromycin after positive cultures were obtained via unguided bronchoalveolar lavage. This is the first time M abscessus has been isolated in our laboratory and the first report of this organism causing disease in companion animals in Australia. Underlying respiratory tract disease was thought to be an important factor in the development of the infections. Thorough investigation of chronic lower respiratory tract disease in ferrets is recommended as this species appears predisposed to atypical infections. [source] Cryptococcosis in ferrets: a diverse spectrum of clinical diseaseAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 12 2002R MALIK Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in seven ferrets (five from Australia; two from western Canada) displaying a wide range of clinical signs. Two of the ferrets lived together. One (5-years-old) had cryptococcal rhinitis and presented when the infection spread to the nasal bridge. Its sibling developed cryptococcal abscessation of the right retropharyngeal lymph node 12 months later, soon after developing a severe skin condition. DNA fingerprinting and microsatellite analysis demonstrated that the two strains isolated from these siblings were indistinguishable. Two ferrets (2- to 3-years-old) developed generalised cryptococcosis: one had primary lower respiratory tract disease with pneumonia, pleurisy and medi-astinal lymph node involvement, while in the other a segment of intestine was the primary focus of infection with subsequent spread to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and lung. The remaining three ferrets (1.75 to 4-years-old) had localised disease of a distal limb, in one case with spread to the regional lymph node. Cryptococcus bacillisporus(formerly C neoformansvar gattii) accounted for three of the four infections in Australian ferrets where the biotype could be determined. The Australian ferret with intestinal involvement and the two ferrets from Vancouver had C neoformansvar grubiiinfections. [source] Characterisation of a novel Mannheimia sp from Australian feedlot cattleAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 9 2001PJ BLACKALL Objective To characterise eight isolates of a Gram-negative organism obtained from the upper respiratory tract of cattle showing evidence of mild upper respiratory tract disease. Design The isolates were compared with the five recognised species within the genus Mannheimia - M haemolytica, M glucosida, M granulomatis, M ruminalis and M varigena - using a range of phenotypic and genotypic methods. Results Phenotypic characterisation indicated that the isolates belonged to the trehalose-negative [Pasteurella] haemolytica complex. This complex has recently been reorganised into five species within the new genus Mannheimia. Ribotyping performed using Hin dIII and a computerised analysis system indicated that the eight Australian isolates formed a distinct cluster that was related to, but different from, the five recognised species of Mannheimia. The 16S rRNA sequence of one isolate (BNO311) was determined and a phylogenetic analysis performed. Isolate BNO311 was distinct from the five named Mannheimia spp but did join a larger cluster consisting of rRNA cluster IV (M varigena) and the unnamed rRNA cluster V of Mannheimia. DNA:DNA hybridisation between isolate BNO311 and M haemolytica NCTC 9380T, M granulomatis P411 and Actinobacillus ligniersii NCTC 4189T all suggested similarities of approximately 30%. Conclusions These phenotypic and genotypic characterisation studies suggest that the eight Australian isolates represent a new species of Mannheimia. Until further characterisation studies are performed, we are unwilling to propose a name for this taxon, preferring to refer to this possible new species as Bisgaard taxon 39 of cluster V of Mannheimia. [source] Sulfated membrane adsorbers for economic pseudo-affinity capture of influenza virus particlesBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009Lars Opitz Abstract Strategies to control outbreaks of influenza, a contagious respiratory tract disease, are focused mainly on prophylactic vaccinations in conjunction with antiviral medications. Currently, several mammalian cell culture-based influenza vaccine production processes are being established, such as the technologies introduced by Novartis Behring (Optaflu®) or Baxter International Inc. (Celvapan). Downstream processing of influenza virus vaccines from cell culture supernatant can be performed by adsorbing virions onto sulfated column chromatography beads, such as Cellufine® sulfate. This study focused on the development of a sulfated cellulose membrane (SCM) chromatography unit operation to capture cell culture-derived influenza viruses. The advantages of the novel method were demonstrated for the Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell-derived influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). Furthermore, the SCM-adsorbers were compared directly to column-based Cellufine® sulfate and commercially available cation-exchange membrane adsorbers. Sulfated cellulose membrane adsorbers showed high viral product recoveries. In addition, the SCM-capture step resulted in a higher reduction of dsDNA compared to the tested cation-exchange membrane adsorbers. The productivity of the SCM-based unit operation could be significantly improved by a 30-fold increase in volumetric flow rate during adsorption compared to the bead-based capture method. The higher flow rate even further reduced the level of contaminating dsDNA by about twofold. The reproducibility and general applicability of the developed unit operation were demonstrated for two further MDCK cell-derived influenza virus strains: A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2) and B/Malaysia/2506/2004. Overall, SCM-adsorbers represent a powerful and economically favorable alternative for influenza virus capture over conventional methods using Cellufine® sulfate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 1144,1154. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Prevalence and clinical aspects of human bocavirus infection in childrenCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 6 2010L. Karalar Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 633,639 Abstract Human bocavirus (HBoV) was recently described as a new member of the Parvoviridae. In order to investigate the suggested association of HBoV with respiratory and gastric disease in infants and young children, sera of 357 paediatric patients hospitalized with infectious and non-infectious diseases were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of HBoV DNA and virus-specific antibodies using quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. HBoV seroprevalence was determined to range from 25% in infants younger than 1 year of age to 93% in children aged more than 3 years. Viral loads between 1 × 102 and 1.2 × 106 geq/mL were observed in 6.7% (20/297) of sera obtained preferentially from young children suffering from infectious diseases. HBoV genomes were furthermore detected in 5% (3/60) of sera collected from individuals with non-infectious illnesses. HBoV DNA was present most frequently in patients with respiratory disease (9.6%). Whereas only 5.2% of patients with upper respiratory tract disease were viraemic, HBoV DNA was found in 14.6% and 10.0% of patients with lower respiratory tract illness and pneumonia, respectively. Acute HBoV infections were also observed in 7.5% of patients with gastroenteritis and in one child with inflammatory bowel disease. None of 77 patients hospitalized for various other infectious diseases (e.g. rash, urinary tract infection, meningitis) displayed viraemia. In 60.9% and 47.8% of DNA-positive children, HBoV-specific IgM and IgG was observed, respectively. The present prospective study provides comprehensive data on the clinical association of acute HBoV infection with respiratory illness and on the seroprevalence of virus-specific antibodies in children. [source] Ethanol Treatment Reduces Bovine Bronchial Epithelial Cell MigrationALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2005John R. Spurzem Background: Chronic ethanol abuse is associated with significant lung disease. Excessive alcohol intake increases risk for a variety of respiratory tract diseases, including pneumonia and bronchitis. Damage to airway epithelium is critical to the pathogenesis of airway disorders such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The ability of the airway epithelium to repair itself is an important step in the resolution of airway inflammation and disease. Ethanol exposure is known to modulate signaling systems in bronchial epithelial cells. We hypothesize that chronic ethanol exposure down-regulates the adenosine 3,:5,-cyclic monophosphate signaling cascade in airway epithelial cells, resulting in decreased epithelial cell migration and repair. Methods: We evaluated the effect of ethanol on primary cultures of bovine bronchial epithelial cells in in vitro models of cell migration, wound repair, cell attachment, and cell spreading. Results: Ethanol causes a concentration-dependent effect on closure of mechanical wounds in cell monolayers. Pretreatment of cells with 100 mm ethanol for 24 hr further slows wound closure. Ethanol pretreatment also reduced the protein kinase A response to wounding and made the cells unresponsive to stimuli of protein kinase A that accelerate wound closure. The effects of ethanol on cell migration in wound closure were confirmed in another assay of migration, the Boyden chamber cell migration assay. Prolonged treatment with ethanol also reduced other cell functions, such as spreading and attachment, which are necessary for epithelial repair. Conclusions: Ethanol modulates signaling systems that are relevant to airway injury and repair, suggesting that chronic, heavy ethanol ingestion has a detrimental impact on airway repair. Impaired response to inflammation and injury may contribute to chronic airway disease. [source] Incidence and Precipitating Factors of Morbidity among Israeli Travelers AbroadJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002Lihi Winer Background: During recent years international travel, including visits to the developing world, has become increasingly popular. Many of these travelers suffer from some sort of health problem during their trip or after their return. Travelers clinics that give pretravel immunization and counseling have emerged. This study analyzes the incidence and risk factors for health problems among Israelis traveling abroad. Methods: The study surveyed by telephone 200 people who visited the traveler's clinic at Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva during the years 1998 to 1999. The travelers were questioned after returning from their journey about the type and duration of the trip, compliance with medical advice given in the travel clinic, and health problems during the trip. Results: The mean age was 26.4 ± 9.4 years, 7% went on an organized tour, 23% traveled alone, and 77% traveled with a friend. The mean duration of the trip was 14.7 ± 13.4 weeks. Of the travelers, 70% reported some health impairment. Problems reported most frequently were gastrointestinal tract diseases (43%), respiratory tract diseases (25%), and injuries (10%). Only 4% were admitted to a hospital during their trip. After their return, 19.5% consulted a physician. Comparing the group of travelers who were sick with the rest, a correlation between noncompliance with the keeping of food hygiene and illness was found (p = .008). Additional risk factors for illness were long duration (p < .001), solitary trip (p = .04), and young age (p < .001). Of the people who were advised to take antimalaria chemoprophylaxis, 55% reported regular use of these drugs. Compliance with treatment correlated with older age (p < .001), short duration of stay (p = .01), previous experience, and travel to Africa (p < .001). Conclusions: Most of the travelers to developing countries are young, travel for long periods, and live in basic conditions during their stay abroad. For these reasons travelers are at increased risk for morbidity. High risk travelers should be identified and counseled in order to increase their compliance with the medical advice and immunizations. A screening program for returning travelers should be considered. [source] Acute lower respiratory tract infections by human metapneumovirus in children in Southwest China: A 2-year studyPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Xin Chen MD Abstract Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been reported to cause both upper and lower respiratory tract diseases in susceptible populations, particularly in children and the elderly. In this study, we describe a hospital-based epidemiological study of hMPV in patients presenting to a children's hospital and show the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with hMPV infection in China, retrospectively. Specimens were collected over a 2-year period from children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) and analyzed for the presence of hMPV using real-time RT-PCR assays. The presence of hMPV was detected in 227 (25.9%) of the 878 children studied and may circulate year-round in the area, peaking during the winter,spring season. Younger children (aged less than 6 months) had the highest positive rate. Infections by hMPV showed similar epidemiology and clinical manifestations as for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and were found in high co-infections with RSV. Subgroup A2 hMPV was the most predominant genotype identified during the study period. This study indicates that hMPV is one of the major respiratory pathogens found in children in southwest China and vaccine development should be under consideration. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2010; 45:824,831. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||