Antiviral research
The most recent articles from:
August 2013
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Severe infections with influenza virus are characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening disorder in which the alveolocapillary membrane in the lung becomes leaky. This leads to alveolar flooding, hypoxemia and respiratory failure. ⋯ In this paper, we review evidence that lung endothelial activation and vascular leak are a "final common pathway" in severe influenza, as has been reported in bacterial sepsis, and that enhancing endothelial barrier function may improve the outcome of illness. We describe a number of experimental therapies that have shown promise in preventing or reversing increased vascular leak in animal models of sepsis or influenza.