The Journal of infectious diseases
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Interactions of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) with human alveolar macrophages are implicated in the persistence of NTHI in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the immunologic mechanisms that mediate NTHI-induced macrophage responses are poorly understood. We hypothesized that immunologic responses of alveolar macrophages to NTHI are impaired in COPD. ⋯ These results support a paradigm of impaired phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages, but not blood macrophages, in COPD and provide an immunologic basis for persistence of NTHI in the airways of adults with COPD.
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In acute respiratory distress syndrome or pneumonia, a procoagulant shift is observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The effect of a primarily extrapulmonary infection on coagulation and fibrinolysis in the pulmonary compartment is unclear. ⋯ Secondary peritonitis induces an early activation of the coagulation and inhibition of fibrinolysis in the systemic and bronchoalveolar compartments, possibly via a compartmentalized response. This imbalance may be associated with reduced oxygen delivery and an adverse outcome in secondary peritonitis.
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The pediatric population experiences preventable hospitalizations and serves as a reservoir for influenza and its transmission to other children as well as adults. As a consequence, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended initiating influenza immunization of children as young as 6 months of age through 23 months of age and, recently, up to 5 years of age. However, immunization of older children has not yet become a priority of the US Public Health Service. ⋯ Collectively, antiviral medications must be evaluated in populations in which they have not yet been assessed. The development of additional antiviral drugs is an important recommendation for the future, so that antiviral resistance can be circumvented. Similarly, availability of drugs for children <1 year of age is mandatory.
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Review
Role of the laboratory in diagnosis of influenza during seasonal epidemics and potential pandemics.
Laboratory diagnosis of influenza is critical to its treatment and surveillance. With the emergence of novel and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, the role of the laboratory has been further extended to include isolation and subtyping of the virus to monitor its appearance and facilitate appropriate vaccine development. Recent progress in enhancing testing for influenza promises to both improve the management of patients with influenza and decrease associated health care costs. The present review covers the technological characteristics and utilization features of currently available diagnostic tests, the factors that influence the selection of such tests, and the developments that are essential for pandemic preparedness.
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The goals of antiviral treatment for influenza are to decrease symptoms and functional disability and, more important, to decrease associated complications, hospitalizations, and mortality. Four drugs have been approved for treatment of and prophylaxis against influenza in the United States, but they are underutilized. The M2 ion channel inhibitors amantadine and rimantadine are effective for prophylaxis, and they decrease the duration of symptoms if they are used for early treatment of influenza A. ⋯ Geographically targeted mass chemoprophylaxis might contain the spread of a pandemic virus, but multiple hurdles to successful implementation exist. Resistance to oseltamivir occurs with the H274Y variant in viruses that contain N1; however, to date, such variants have been less fit, have not been transmitted from person to person, and have retained susceptibility to zanamivir. Alternative agents and approaches, including parenteral and combination therapy, for the treatment of influenza are needed in the near and long term.