scholarly journals Potential Use of Atlantic Cod Trypsin in Biomedicine

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ágústa Gudmundsdóttir ◽  
Hilmar Hilmarsson ◽  
Bjarki Stefansson

Surface proteins of viruses and bacteria used for cell attachment and invasion are candidates for degradation by proteases. Trypsin from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) was previously demonstrated to have efficacy against influenza virusesin vitroand on skin. In this paper, cod trypsin is shown to be 3–12 times more effective in degrading large native proteins than its mesophilic analogue, bovine trypsin. This is in agreement with previous findings where cod trypsin was found to be the most active among twelve different proteases in cleaving various cytokines and pathological proteins. Furthermore, our results show that cod trypsin has high efficacy against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)in vitro. The results on the antipathogenic properties of cod trypsin are important because rhinovirus, RSV, and influenza are the most predominant pathogenic viruses in upper respiratory tract infections. Results from a clinical study presented in this paper show that a specific formulation containing cod trypsin was preferred for wound healing over other methods used in the study. Apparently, the high digestive ability of the cold-adapted cod trypsin towards large native proteins plays a role in its efficacy against pathogens and its positive effects on wounds.

Author(s):  
С.В. Николаева ◽  
Д.В. Усенко ◽  
Ю.Н. Хлыповка ◽  
А.В. Горелов

Вирусные инфекции дыхательных путей являются наиболее частой причиной инфекционных заболеваний, особенно у детей. В большинстве случаев, особенно при поражении верхних дыхательных путей, острые респираторные вирусные инфекции протекают в легкой или среднетяжелой форме и часто купируются самостоятельно. Фармакологические средства для лечения или профилактики данных инфекций у детей в настоящее время ограничены. Многочисленные исследования доказали эффективность пробиотиков в лечении и профилактике заболеваний желудочно-кишечного тракта, таких как инфекционные и антибиотик-ассоциированные диареи, диареи путешественников, некротизирующий энтероколит, инфекция Helicobacter pylori, а также атопических заболеваний. Становится актуальным изучение эффективности пробиотиков в качестве средств профилактики острых респираторных инфекций среди детей и взрослых. Данные in vitro демонстрируют, что пробиотики обладают штаммоспецифическим иммуномодулирующим действием на иммунные клетки. Показано, что пробиотики эффективны в подавлении репликации различных респираторных вирусов, включая вирусы гриппа и респираторно-синцитиальный вирус. Подобные эффекты были продемонстрированы на мышах, было показано, что пробиотики способны снижать титры вируса в тканях легких и модулировать экспрессию противовирусных и провоспалительных генов до и после вирусной инфекции. Доклинические исследования также показывают уменьшение симптомов заболевания у мышей, что указывает на потенциальную клиническую пользу. Данные литературы по изучению применения пробиотиков и синбиотиков при вирусных инфекциях респираторного тракта показывают, что их использование связано с более низкой частотой и меньшей продолжительностью легких форм респираторной инфекции как у детей, так и у взрослых. Целесообразно дальнейшее проведение исследований для получения адекватных выводов об эффективности пробиотиков и синбиотиков при острых респираторных инфекциях. Viral infections of the respiratory tract are the most common cause of infectious diseases, especially in children. In most cases, especially when the upper respiratory tract is affected, acute respiratory viral infections are mild to moderate and often stop spontaneously. Pharmacological agents for the treatment or prevention of these infections in children are currently limited. Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as infectious and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, as well as atopic diseases. It is becoming urgent to study the effectiveness of probiotics as prophylactic agents for acute respiratory infections. among children and adults. In vitro data demonstrate that probiotics have strain-specific immunomodulatory effects on immune cells. Probiotics have been shown to be effective in suppressing the replication of various respiratory viruses, including influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus. Similar effects have been demonstrated in mice with the ability of probiotics to reduce viral titers in lung tissues and modulate the expression of antiviral and pro-inflammatory genes before and after viral infection. Preclinical studies also show improvement in symptoms in mice, indicating potential clinical benefit. Literature data on the use of probiotics and synbiotics for viral infections of the respiratory tract show that their use is associated with a lower frequency and duration of mild forms of respiratory infection in both children and adults. It is advisable to further conduct research necessary to obtain adequate conclusions about the effectiveness of probiotics and synbiotics in acute respiratory infections.


2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (24) ◽  
pp. 3835-3847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliyath Susmitha ◽  
Kesavan Madhavan Nampoothiri ◽  
Harsha Bajaj

Most Gram-positive bacteria contain a membrane-bound transpeptidase known as sortase which covalently incorporates the surface proteins on to the cell wall. The sortase-displayed protein structures are involved in cell attachment, nutrient uptake and aerial hyphae formation. Among the six classes of sortase (A–F), sortase A of S. aureus is the well-characterized housekeeping enzyme considered as an ideal drug target and a valuable biochemical reagent for protein engineering. Similar to SrtA, class E sortase in GC rich bacteria plays a housekeeping role which is not studied extensively. However, C. glutamicum ATCC 13032, an industrially important organism known for amino acid production, carries a single putative sortase (NCgl2838) gene but neither in vitro peptide cleavage activity nor biochemical characterizations have been investigated. Here, we identified that the gene is having a sortase activity and analyzed its structural similarity with Cd-SrtF. The purified enzyme showed a greater affinity toward LAXTG substrate with a calculated KM of 12 ± 1 µM, one of the highest affinities reported for this class of enzyme. Moreover, site-directed mutation studies were carried to ascertain the structure functional relationship of Cg-SrtE and all these are new findings which will enable us to perceive exciting protein engineering applications with this class of enzyme from a non-pathogenic microbe.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Lei ◽  
Lisong Yang ◽  
Cheong Tat Lou ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Kin Ian SiTou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are among the leading causes of hospitalization in children. Understanding the local dominant viral etiologies is important to inform infection control practices and clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the viral etiology and epidemiology of respiratory infections among pediatric inpatients in Macao. Methods A retrospective study using electronic health records between 2014 and 2017 at Kiang Wu Hospital was performed. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from hospitalized children aged 13 years or younger with respiratory tract diseases. xMAP multiplex assays were employed to detect respiratory agents including 10 respiratory viruses. Data were analyzed to describe the frequency and seasonality. Results Of the 4880 children enrolled in the study, 3767 (77.1%) were positive for at least one of the 13 viral pathogens tested, of which 2707 (55.5%) being male and 2635 (70.0%) under 2 years old. Among the positive results, there were 3091 (82.0%) single infections and 676 (18.0%) multiple infections. The predominant viruses included human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/EV 27.4%), adenovirus (ADV, 15.8%), respiratory syncytial virus B (RSVB, 7.8%) and respiratory syncytial virus A (RSVA, 7.8%). The detection of viral infection was the most prevalent in autumn (960/1176, 81.6%), followed by spring (1095/1406, 77.9%), winter (768/992, 77.4%), and summer (944/1306, 72.3%), with HRV/EV and ADV being most commonly detected throughout the 4 years of study period. The detection rate of viral infection was highest among ARI patients presented with croup (123/141, 87.2%), followed by lower respiratory tract infection (1924/2356, 81.7%) and upper respiratory tract infection (1720/2383, 72.2%). FluA, FluB and ADV were positive factors for upper respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, infection with RSVA, RSVB, PIV3, PIV4, HMPV, and EV/RHV were positively associated with lower respiratory tract infections; and PIV1, PIV2, and PIV3 were positively associated with croup. Conclusions This is the first study in Macao to determine the viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for ARIs. The study findings can contribute to the awareness of pathogen, appropriate preventative measure, accurate diagnosis, and proper clinical management of respiratory viral infections among children in Macao.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-112
Author(s):  
R. Sessa ◽  
M. Di Pietro ◽  
G. Schiavoni ◽  
I. Santino ◽  
M. Del Piano

Chlamydia pneumoniae, a Gram-negative intracellular obligate bacteria, is recognised as a common cause of upper respiratory tract infections, and accounts for ∼10% of community-acquired pneumonia. In recent years, chronic and persistent infection with C. pneumoniae has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is regarded as a chronic inflammatory disease that results from complex interactions between a variety of cell types such as endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages and inflammatory mediators. Involvement of C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been supported by findings from seroepidemiologic studies, direct detection of chlamydial DNA, experimental animal and in vitro studies, and antibiotic intervention trials. The spectrum of cell biological, animal, and human clinical data suggests that C. pneumoniae may be considered an infectious risk factor for atherosclerosis but further studies are needed to clarify the etiopathogenetic role of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerotic vessel walls.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Sugiura ◽  
Tsuguto Fujimoto ◽  
Tamie Sugawara ◽  
Nozomu Hanaoka ◽  
Masami Konagaya ◽  
...  

Syndromic surveillance, including prescription surveillance, offers a rapid method for the early detection of agents of bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases. However, it has the disadvantage of not considering definitive diagnoses. Here, we attempted to definitively diagnose pathogens using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) immediately after the prescription surveillance system detected an outbreak. Specimens were collected from 50 patients with respiratory infections. PCR was used to identify the pathogens, which included 14 types of common respiratory viruses andMycoplasma pneumoniae. Infectious agents includingM. pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, enterovirus, and parainfluenza virus were detected in 54% of patients. For the rapid RSV diagnosis kit, sensitivity was 80% and specificity was 85%. For the rapid adenovirus diagnosis kit, no positive results were obtained; therefore, sensitivity could not be calculated and specificity was 100%. Many patients were found to be treated for upper respiratory tract infections without the diagnosis of a specific pathogen. In Japan, an outbreak ofM. pneumoniaeinfection began in 2011, and our results suggested that this outbreak may have included false-positive cases. By combining syndromic surveillance and PCR, we were able to rapidly and accurately identify causative pathogens during a recent respiratory infection outbreak.


Author(s):  
Malik Peiris

Viral respiratory infections, including coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, and influenza viruses, are a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Transmission occurs through direct contact, contaminated fomites, and large airborne droplets, with long-range transmission by small particle aerosols reported in at least some instances of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Clinical syndromes affect the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, including coryza, pharyngitis, croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Each syndrome can potentially be caused by several viruses, and each respiratory virus can be associated with different clinical syndromes. Measles is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections and fatality in tropical countries.


Author(s):  
Dr Mark Harrison

15.1 Rhinovirus, 209 15.2 Influenza, 210 15.3 Parainfluenza, 211 15.4 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 211 • There are more than 100 different serotypes of rhinovirus. • Rhinovirus is chiefly limited to upper respiratory tract infections and is the major cause of the common cold....


Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Vandini ◽  
Carlotta Biagi ◽  
Maximilian Fischer ◽  
Marcello Lanari

Rhinovirus (RV) is an RNA virus that causes more than 50% of upper respiratory tract infections in humans worldwide. Together with Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RV is one of the leading causes of viral bronchiolitis in infants and the most common virus associated with wheezing in children aged between one and two years. Because of its tremendous genetic diversity (>150 serotypes), the recurrence of RV infections each year is quite typical. Furthermore, because of its broad clinical spectrum, the clinical variability as well as the pathogenesis of RV infection are nowadays the subjects of an in-depth examination and have been the subject of several studies in the literature. In fact, the virus is responsible for direct cell cytotoxicity in only a small way, and it is now clearer than ever that it may act indirectly by triggering the release of active mediators by structural and inflammatory airway cells, causing the onset and/or the acute exacerbation of asthmatic events in predisposed children. In the present review, we aim to summarize the RV infection’s epidemiology, pathogenetic hypotheses, and available treatment options as well as its correlation with respiratory morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1171
Author(s):  
Yaron Drori ◽  
Jasmine Jacob-Hirsch ◽  
Rakefet Pando ◽  
Aharona Glatman-Freedman ◽  
Nehemya Friedman ◽  
...  

Influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are respiratory viruses that primarily circulate worldwide during the autumn and winter seasons. Seasonal surveillance has shown that RSV infection generally precedes influenza. However, in the last four winter seasons (2016–2020) an overlap of the morbidity peaks of both viruses was observed in Israel, and was paralleled by significantly lower RSV infection rates. To investigate whether the influenza A virus inhibits RSV, human cervical carcinoma (HEp2) cells or mice were co-infected with influenza A and RSV. Influenza A inhibited RSV growth, both in vitro and in vivo. Mass spectrometry analysis of mouse lungs infected with influenza A identified a two-wave pattern of protein expression upregulation, which included members of the interferon-induced protein with the tetratricopeptide (IFITs) family. Interestingly, in the second wave, influenza A viruses were no longer detectable in mouse lungs. In addition, knockdown and overexpression of IFITs in HEp2 cells affected RSV multiplicity. In conclusion, influenza A infection inhibits RSV infectivity via upregulation of IFIT proteins in a two-wave modality. Understanding the immune system involvement in the interaction between influenza A and RSV viruses will contribute to the development of future treatment strategies against these viruses.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa

In recent years viral respiratory tract infections, especially influenza viruses, have had a major impact on communities worldwide as a result of unavailability of effective treatment or vaccine. The frequent alterations in the antigenic structures of respiratory viruses, particularly for RNA viruses, pose difficulties in production of effective vaccines. The unavailability of optimal medication and shortage of effective vaccines suggests the requirement for alternative natural therapies. Several herbal remedies were used for prevention and treatment viral respiratory illnesses. Among those that were found effective included maoto, licorice roots, antiwei, North American ginseng, berries, Echinacea, plants extracted carnosic acid, pomegranate, guava tea, and Bai Shao. There is scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of several complementary therapies for colds. Oral zinc may reduce the length and severity of a cold. Taking vitamin C supplements on a regular basis only slightly reduces the length and severity of colds. Probiotics were found better than placebo in reducing the number episodes of acute upper respiratory tract infections, the rate of episodes of acute upper respiratory tract infection and reducing antibiotic use. Alkaline diets or drinks might have antiviral properties as in vitro studies demonstrated inactivation effect of alkaline medium on respiratory virus. Earthing might have a natural anti-inflammatory effect for human body. It is now accepted that an overwhelming inflammatory response is the cause of human deaths from avian H5N1 influenza infection. Earthing accelerates immune response following vaccination, as demonstrated by increases of gamma globulin concentration. No in vivo or clinical studies were found that investigate the role of alkalization or earthing on respiratory viral infections. Thus, future studies are recommended to reveal any potential curative effects.


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