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Cureus Sep 2023Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a pathogen that primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Children,...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a pathogen that primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Children, individuals aged 60 and above, and individuals with impaired immune systems are more susceptible to developing RSV lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), which can result in fatalities in some instances. Symptoms of LRTI include shortness of breath, wheezing, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. Current management of RSV-LRTI includes conservative and symptomatic treatment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved two vaccines that effectively prevent acute and severe RSV-LRTI requiring hospitalizations. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is approved for infants born at 35 weeks of gestation and above. At the same time, RSVPreF3 OA (Arexvy) is recommended for adults aged 60 and older. Both vaccines are effective against the two major strains of RSV and require single doses to induce immunity. In this article, we will discuss the mechanism of action, effectiveness, and side effects of these novel vaccines and their possible impact.
PubMed: 37829940
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45012 -
The American Journal of the Medical... Dec 2023Organizing pneumonia (OP) is an interstitial lung disease, and can be cryptogenic, if no cause is identified, or secondary to several conditions. COVID-19-induced... (Review)
Review
Organizing pneumonia (OP) is an interstitial lung disease, and can be cryptogenic, if no cause is identified, or secondary to several conditions. COVID-19-induced persistent inflammation can be associated with interstitial lung disease. We present a review of literature of OP and COVID-19-induced OP with an illustrative case. A 38-year-old man was admitted with COVID-19 that required mechanical ventilation for 56 days. Initial chest computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities in the lungs with consolidation areas involving 75 % of the parenchyma. After weaning from MV, the patient still required oxygen supplementation. A new chest CT scan also showed extensive diffuse areas of consolidation and ground-glass opacity. OP was hypothesized and 40 mg/day prednisone initiated and continued for six months with resolution of lung functional and image abnormalities. Organizing pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis of COVID-19 patients with respiratory symptoms after partial pulmonary recovery.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; COVID-19; Organizing Pneumonia; Lung; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases, Interstitial
PubMed: 37778722
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2023.09.023 -
EBioMedicine Sep 2023Patients diagnosed with environmental/occupational bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) over the last 2 decades often present with an indolent evolution of respiratory symptoms... (Review)
Review
Patients diagnosed with environmental/occupational bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) over the last 2 decades often present with an indolent evolution of respiratory symptoms without a history of high-level, acute exposure to airborne toxins. Exertional dyspnea is the most common symptom and standard clinical and radiographic evaluation can be non-diagnostic. Lung biopsies often reveal pathological abnormalities affecting all distal lung compartments. These modern cases of BO typically exhibit the constrictive bronchiolitis phenotype of small airway remodeling, along with lymphocytic inflammation. In addition, hypertensive-type remodeling of intrapulmonary vasculature, diffuse fibroelastosis of alveolar tissue, and fibrous thickening of visceral pleura are frequently present. The diagnosis of environmental/occupational BO should be considered in patients who present with subacute onset of exertional dyspnea and a history compatible with prolonged or recurrent exposure to environmental toxins. Important areas for future studies include development of less invasive diagnostic approaches and testing of novel agents for disease prevention and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Bronchiolitis Obliterans; Biopsy; Dyspnea; Phenotype
PubMed: 37598462
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104760 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Bronchiolitis; Water
PubMed: 38327208
DOI: 10.61409/V205154 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Aug 2023Several studies have reported that viral infection is closely associated with the onset, progression, and exacerbation of asthma. The purpose of this review is to... (Review)
Review
Several studies have reported that viral infection is closely associated with the onset, progression, and exacerbation of asthma. The purpose of this review is to summarize the role that viral infections have in the pathogenesis of asthma onset and exacerbations, as well as discuss interrelated protective and risk factors of asthma and current treatment options. Furthermore, we present current knowledge of the innate immunological pathways driving host defense, including changes in the epithelial barrier. In addition, we highlight the importance of the genetics and epigenetics of asthma and virus susceptibility. Moreover, the involvement of virus etiology from bronchiolitis and childhood wheezing to asthma is described. The characterization and mechanisms of action of the respiratory viruses most frequently related to asthma are mentioned.
PubMed: 37685567
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175501