Pneumonia viruses

Common viral infections may affect the outcome of carcinogenicity studies by altering survival or tumor incidence. Nevertheless, viral infections did not cause consistent adverse effects on survival or tumor prevalence in control F344 rats from 28 NCI-NTP studies, though body weights were reduced by Sendai and pneumonia viruses of mice (Rao et al., 1989). The probability of such infections can be minimized by using viral-antibody-free animals, which are readily available. 

Lactate dehydrogenase virus Minute virus of mice Mouse adenovirus Mouse cytomegalovirus Thielers virus Mouse hepatitis virus Mouse rotavirus Pneumonia virus of mice Polyoma virus Retroviruses Thymic virus... 

Cash, P., Wunner, W.H., and Pringle, C.R. 1977, A comparison of the polypeptides of human and bovine respiratory syncytial viruses and murine pneumonia virus. Virology 82 369-379. 

Domachowske JB, Bonville CA, Dyer KD et al. Pulmonary eosinophilia and production of MIP-la are prominent responses to infection with pneumonia virus of mice. Cell Immunol 2000 200 98-104. 

In patients infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the helper cell population is weakened to the point where the immune system is no longer able to function properly. The body thus becomes susceptible to otherwise nonlethal diseases such as pneumonia. 

CMV, a virus of the herpes family, isa common viral infection. Healthy individuals may beoome infected yet have no symptoms. However, immunocompromised patients (such as those with HIV or cancer) may have the infection. Symptoms include malaise, fever, pneumonia, and super infection. Infants may acquire the virus from the mother while in the uterus, resulting in learning disabilities and mental retardation. CM V can infect the eye, causing retinitis. Symptoms of CMV retinitis are blurred vision and decreased visual acuity. Visual impairment is irreversible and can lead to blindness if untreated. 

A new coronavirus was quickly identified after the outbreak of an atypical pneumonia in southern China early in 2003. The new virus eventually caused 8,000 infections with approximately 800 deaths in 29 countries. The condition was named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS, and the causative coronavirus named SARS-CoV. The zoonotic nature of the infection came with the identification of a similar virus in bats (Poon et al. 2005), although it is possible that the bat virus passed through other animal hosts and recombined with other SARS-like coron-aviruses prior to infecting humans (Hon et al. 2008). SARS-CoV is not currently circulating in the human population however, the mysterious appearance and rapid spread of this virus emphasized how vulnerable the human population is to such respiratory infections. This has spurred interest in the development of antivirals that could be used either in treatment or as prophylaxis to complement public health measures in curbing future outbreaks. 

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Enveloped, icosahedral particles 150nm in diameter CMV is generally acquired in childhood as a subclinical infection. About 50% of adults carry the virus in a dormant state in white blood cells. The virus can cause severe disease (pneumonia, hepatitis, encephalitis) in immunocompromised patients. Primary infections during pregnancy can induce serious congenital abnormalities in the fetus... 

Routine antibiotic use is not warranted because the primary infectious agents associated with asthma exacerbations are viruses.2,3 Antibiotics should be reserved for situations when bacterial infection is strongly suspected (e.g., fever and purulent sputum, pneumonia, and suspected sinusitis). 

Pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae (most common), Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia, and viruses (parvovirus B1 9)... 

Viruses are a common cause of CAP in children (-65%) and much less common in adults ( 15%).8 Viruses often associated with pneumonia in adults include influenza A and B and adenoviruses, whereas less common causes include rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, and others. In children, viral pneumonia is caused more commonly by respiratory syncyntial virus, influenza A virus, and parainfluenza virus. The viruses associated with CAP in adults are much less common causes of pneumonia in children. 

Influenza viruses A and B can cause pneumonia in pediatric and adult patients. Amantidine and rimantidine are available oral agents with activity against influenza virus type A. If started within 48 hours of the onset of the first symptoms, they reduce the duration of the illness by about 1.3 days. Oseltamivir and zanamivir also are oral agents and are active against both type A and B viruses. These agents also reduce the duration of the illness by about 1.3 days if initiated within 40 to 48 hours of the first symptoms.29 For active infection beyond the first 48 hours, none of these agents is effective in treating the infection, and supportive care is the best treatment for these patients. 

Prevention of pneumococcal disease by use of vaccination is a national goal Vaccination is used to prevent or minimize the severity of pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae or the influenza virus. 

Formaldehyde-killed Yersinia pestis Mixture of purified surface polysaccharide antigens obtained from differing serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae Live attenuated strains of poliomyelitis virus... 

Arsenicals were ineffective in controlling certain bacterial and viral infections. Mice experimentally infected with bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonias) or viruses (pseudorabies, encephalitis, encephalmyocarditis) showed a significant increase in mortality when treated with large doses of arsenicals compared to nonarsenic-treated groups (NAS 1977 Aranyi et al. 1985). 

CNS infections may be caused by a variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The most common causes of bacterial meningitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Haemophilus influenzae. 

Streptococcus pneumoniae Hepatitis B virus Influenza virus Hepatitis A virus... 

Respiratory viruses are by far the most common infectious agents associated with acute bronchitis. The common cold viruses, rhinovirus and coronavirus, and lower respiratory tract pathogens, including influenza virus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus, account for the majority of cases. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also appears to be a frequent cause of acute bronchitis. Other bacterial causes include Chlamydia pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis. 

In the pediatric age group, most pneumonias are due to viruses, especially respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, and adenovirus. Pneumococcus is the most common bacterial cause, followed by Group A Streptococcus and S. aureus. 

Neuraminidases are enzymes present in viruses, bacteria, and parasites. They are implicated in serious diseases such as cholera, meningitis and pneumonia. Neuraminidase from influenza virus aids the transmission of the virus between cells and maintains viral infectivity. In different strains of influenza several amino acids are conserved, especially in the active site, giving rise to hopes of finding a single inhibitor (and so a drug) for all the neuraminidase enzymes from influenza strains. The crucial question is whether a covalent bond is formed between the enzyme and the reaction intermediate. 

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