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Annual Review of Virology Sep 2020The seasonal cycle of respiratory viral diseases has been widely recognized for thousands of years, as annual epidemics of the common cold and influenza disease hit the... (Review)
Review
The seasonal cycle of respiratory viral diseases has been widely recognized for thousands of years, as annual epidemics of the common cold and influenza disease hit the human population like clockwork in the winter season in temperate regions. Moreover, epidemics caused by viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 occur during the winter months. The mechanisms underlying the seasonal nature of respiratory viral infections have been examined and debated for many years. The two major contributing factors are the changes in environmental parameters and human behavior. Studies have revealed the effect of temperature and humidity on respiratory virus stability and transmission rates. More recent research highlights the importance of the environmental factors, especially temperature and humidity, in modulating host intrinsic, innate, and adaptive immune responses to viral infections in the respiratory tract. Here we review evidence of how outdoor and indoor climates are linked to the seasonality of viral respiratory infections. We further discuss determinants of host response in the seasonality of respiratory viruses by highlighting recent studies in the field.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Humidity; Infectious Disease Incubation Period; Influenza, Human; Orthomyxoviridae; Pandemics; Picornaviridae Infections; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rhinovirus; Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Seasons; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Severity of Illness Index; Temperature
PubMed: 32196426
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-012420-022445 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2018Influenza and other respiratory viral infections are the most common type of acute respiratory infection. Viral infections predispose patients to secondary bacterial... (Review)
Review
Influenza and other respiratory viral infections are the most common type of acute respiratory infection. Viral infections predispose patients to secondary bacterial infections, which often have a more severe clinical course. The mechanisms underlying post-viral bacterial infections are complex, and include multifactorial processes mediated by interactions between viruses, bacteria, and the host immune system. Studies over the past 15 years have demonstrated that unique microbial communities reside on the mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract, which have both direct and indirect effects on host defense against viral infections. In addition, antiviral immune responses induced by acute respiratory infections such as influenza are associated with changes in microbial composition and function ("dysbiosis") in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, which in turn may alter subsequent immune function against secondary bacterial infection or alter the dynamics of inter-microbial interactions, thereby enhancing the proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacterial species. In this review, we summarize the literature on the interactions between host microbial communities and host defense, and how influenza, and other acute respiratory viral infections disrupt these interactions, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of secondary bacterial infections.
Topics: Coinfection; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Host Microbial Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Microbiota; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 30505304
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02640 -
Archivos de Bronconeumologia May 2016Respiratory viral infections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus, are the most importance risk factors for the onset of wheezing in infants... (Review)
Review
Respiratory viral infections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus, are the most importance risk factors for the onset of wheezing in infants and small children. Bronchiolitis is the most common acute respiratory infection in children under 1year of age, and the most common cause of hospitalization in this age group. RSV accounts for approximately 70% of all these cases, followed by rhinovirus, adenovirus, metapneumovirus and bocavirus. The association between bronchiolitis caused by RSV and the development of recurrent wheezing and/or asthma was first described more than 40years ago, but it is still unclear whether bronchiolitis causes chronic respiratory symptoms, or if it is a marker for children with a genetic predisposition for developing asthma in the medium or long term. In any case, sufficient evidence is available to corroborate the existence of this association, which is particularly strong when the causative agent of bronchiolitis is rhinovirus. The pathogenic role of respiratory viruses as triggers for exacerbations in asthmatic patients has not been fully characterized. However, it is clear that respiratory viruses, and in particular rhinovirus, are the most common causes of exacerbation in children, and some type of respiratory virus has been identified in over 90% of children hospitalized for an episode of wheezing. Changes in the immune response to viral infections in genetically predisposed individuals are very likely to be the main factors involved in the association between viral infection and asthma.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Asthma; Bronchiolitis; Causality; Child; Child, Preschool; Comorbidity; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Male; Models, Biological; Prevalence; Recurrence; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 26766408
DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2015.11.008 -
Primary Care Sep 2013Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are infections of the mouth, nose, throat, larynx (voice box), and trachea (windpipe). This article outlines the epidemiology,... (Review)
Review
Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are infections of the mouth, nose, throat, larynx (voice box), and trachea (windpipe). This article outlines the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management of URIs, including nasopharyngitis (common cold), sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and laryngotracheitis.
Topics: Analgesics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Histamine Antagonists; Humans; Laryngitis; Nasal Decongestants; Pharyngitis; Primary Health Care; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Sinusitis; United States
PubMed: 23958368
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2013.06.004 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Globally, diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infections are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years old. The benefits of exclusive... (Review)
Review
Globally, diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infections are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years old. The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in reducing the risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections are well documented. Optimal breastfeeding may potentially save the lives of about 800,000 children in low-income settings. Despite the evidence, around 63% of infants from birth to 6 months are not exclusively breastfed worldwide. We searched the literature published between 2010 and 2022 in Medline, Embase, and Scopus on the association between exclusive breastfeeding and infectious diseases. We selected and reviewed 70 relevant studies. Our findings expand and confirm the positive association between exclusive breastfeeding and reduced risk of a number of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and other infections in 60 out of 70 studies observed in both low- and high-income settings. Several studies analyzing exclusive breastfeeding duration reported that a longer exclusive breastfeeding duration is protective against many infectious diseases. This review also reported a lack of standardized definition for measuring exclusive breastfeeding in many studies. Overall, the results highlight the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in many studies and suggests reporting exclusive breastfeeding in future studies using a consistent definition to enable better monitoring of exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Topics: Child; Infant; Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Breast Feeding; Morbidity; Time Factors; Communicable Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 36429518
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214804 -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Nov 2018Lower respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016,...
Estimates of the global, regional, and national morbidity, mortality, and aetiologies of lower respiratory infections in 195 countries, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.
BACKGROUND
Lower respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016, provides an up-to-date analysis of the burden of lower respiratory infections in 195 countries. This study assesses cases, deaths, and aetiologies spanning the past 26 years and shows how the burden of lower respiratory infection has changed in people of all ages.
METHODS
We used three separate modelling strategies for lower respiratory infections in GBD 2016: a Bayesian hierarchical ensemble modelling platform (Cause of Death Ensemble model), which uses vital registration, verbal autopsy data, and surveillance system data to predict mortality due to lower respiratory infections; a compartmental meta-regression tool (DisMod-MR), which uses scientific literature, population representative surveys, and health-care data to predict incidence, prevalence, and mortality; and modelling of counterfactual estimates of the population attributable fraction of lower respiratory infection episodes due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. We calculated each modelled estimate for each age, sex, year, and location. We modelled the exposure level in a population for a given risk factor using DisMod-MR and a spatio-temporal Gaussian process regression, and assessed the effectiveness of targeted interventions for each risk factor in children younger than 5 years. We also did a decomposition analysis of the change in LRI deaths from 2000-16 using the risk factors associated with LRI in GBD 2016.
FINDINGS
In 2016, lower respiratory infections caused 652 572 deaths (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 586 475-720 612) in children younger than 5 years (under-5s), 1 080 958 deaths (943 749-1 170 638) in adults older than 70 years, and 2 377 697 deaths (2 145 584-2 512 809) in people of all ages, worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading cause of lower respiratory infection morbidity and mortality globally, contributing to more deaths than all other aetiologies combined in 2016 (1 189 937 deaths, 95% UI 690 445-1 770 660). Childhood wasting remains the leading risk factor for lower respiratory infection mortality among children younger than 5 years, responsible for 61·4% of lower respiratory infection deaths in 2016 (95% UI 45·7-69·6). Interventions to improve wasting, household air pollution, ambient particulate matter pollution, and expanded antibiotic use could avert one under-5 death due to lower respiratory infection for every 4000 children treated in the countries with the highest lower respiratory infection burden.
INTERPRETATION
Our findings show substantial progress in the reduction of lower respiratory infection burden, but this progress has not been equal across locations, has been driven by decreases in several primary risk factors, and might require more effort among elderly adults. By highlighting regions and populations with the highest burden, and the risk factors that could have the greatest effect, funders, policy makers, and programme implementers can more effectively reduce lower respiratory infections among the world's most susceptible populations.
FUNDING
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bacterial Infections; Biostatistics; Child; Child, Preschool; Cost of Illness; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Topography, Medical; Virus Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 30243584
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30310-4 -
Viruses May 2023To face the COVID-19 outbreak, a wide range of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in communities, such as mask-wearing,... (Review)
Review
To face the COVID-19 outbreak, a wide range of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in communities, such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, social distancing, travel restrictions, and school closures, were introduced in most countries. Thereafter, a significant reduction of new asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 cases occurred, although there were differences between countries according to the type and duration of the NPIs. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by significant variations in the global incidence of diseases due to the most common non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and some bacteria. In this narrative review, the epidemiology of the most common non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections during the COVID-19 pandemic is detailed. Moreover, factors that could have had a role in modifying the traditional circulation of respiratory pathogens are discussed. A literature analysis shows that NPIs were the most important cause of the general reduction in the incidence of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in the first year of the pandemic, although the different sensitivity of each virus to NPIs, the type and duration of measures used, as well as the interference among viruses may have played a role in modulating viral circulation. Reasons for the increase in the incidences of and group A infections seem strictly linked to immunity debt and the role played by NPIs in reducing viral infections and limiting bacterial superimposed infections. These results highlight the importance of NPIs during pandemics, the need to monitor the circulation of infectious agents that cause diseases similar to those caused by pandemic agents, and the need to make efforts to improve coverage with available vaccines.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Virus Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections; Influenza, Human
PubMed: 37243246
DOI: 10.3390/v15051160 -
Monaldi Archives For Chest Disease =... Aug 2021The post-viral acute cough (PAC) is a widespread symptom, mainly in childhood and adolescence, and is usually associated with an acute upper respiratory infection,...
The post-viral acute cough (PAC) is a widespread symptom, mainly in childhood and adolescence, and is usually associated with an acute upper respiratory infection, namely the common cold. The use of cough relievers is, therefore, impressive, as documented by the market data. There are many medical devices and dietary supplements for treating PAC, which contain non-pharmacological components. Ancient people used traditional herbs to treat PAC. Thus, a well-established tradition considers natural remedies as an effective and safe way to relieve PAC. The herbal agents include polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, glucosides, and alkaloids. Also, the European Medicine Agency has recognized the value of plant extracts and other natural substances to treat PAC. Nevertheless, a few studies investigated the role of non-pharmacologic remedies for PAC. There is some evidence for honey, glycerol, Althea officinalis, Drosera rotundifolia, Grindelia, Hedera helix, Pelargonium sidoides, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris, hyaluronic acid, and saline solutions. However, further rigorous studies should confirm natural products' efficacy and safety to relieve PAC.
Topics: Cough; Humans; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 34461702
DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2021.1821 -
Clinics in Chest Medicine Dec 2020Occupational respiratory infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Transmission in occupational settings can occur from other humans, animals,... (Review)
Review
Occupational respiratory infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Transmission in occupational settings can occur from other humans, animals, or the environment, and occur in various occupations and industries. In this article, we describe 4 occupationally acquired respiratory infections at the focus of NIOSH investigations over the last decade: tuberculosis (TB), influenza, psittacosis, and coccidioidomycosis. We highlight the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 33153691
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2020.08.003 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Aug 2021
Topics: COVID-19; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34326074
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp21X716477