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Docherty AB, Harrison EM, Green CA, et al., 2020, Features of 20 133 UK patients in hospital with covid-19 using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol: prospective observational cohort study, BMJ, Vol: 369, Pages: 1-12, ISSN: 1759-2151
Objective To characterise the clinical features of patients admitted to hospital with coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) in the United Kingdom during the growth phase of the first wave of this outbreak who were enrolled in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC) World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Characterisation Protocol UK (CCP-UK) study, and to explore risk factors associated with mortality in hospital.Design Prospective observational cohort study with rapid data gathering and near real time analysis.Setting 208 acute care hospitals in England, Wales, and Scotland between 6 February and 19 April 2020. A case report form developed by ISARIC and WHO was used to collect clinical data. A minimal follow-up time of two weeks (to 3 May 2020) allowed most patients to complete their hospital admission.Participants 20 133 hospital inpatients with covid-19.Main outcome measures Admission to critical care (high dependency unit or intensive care unit) and mortality in hospital.Results The median age of patients admitted to hospital with covid-19, or with a diagnosis of covid-19 made in hospital, was 73 years (interquartile range 58-82, range 0-104). More men were admitted than women (men 60%, n=12 068; women 40%, n=8065). The median duration of symptoms before admission was 4 days (interquartile range 1-8). The commonest comorbidities were chronic cardiac disease (31%, 5469/17 702), uncomplicated diabetes (21%, 3650/17 599), non-asthmatic chronic pulmonary disease (18%, 3128/17 634), and chronic kidney disease (16%, 2830/17 506); 23% (4161/18 525) had no reported major comorbidity. Overall, 41% (8199/20 133) of patients were discharged alive, 26% (5165/20 133) died, and 34% (6769/20 133) continued to receive care at the reporting date. 17% (3001/18 183) required admission to high dependency or intensive care units; of these, 28% (826/3001) were discharged alive, 32% (958/3001) died, and 41% (1217/3001) continued to receive
McGrath BA, Brenner MJ, Warrillow SJ, et al., 2020, Tracheostomy in the COVID-19 era: global and multidisciplinary guidance., The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, ISSN: 2213-2600
Global health care is experiencing an unprecedented surge in the number of critically ill patients who require mechanical ventilation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirement for relatively long periods of ventilation in those who survive means that many are considered for tracheostomy to free patients from ventilatory support and maximise scarce resources. COVID-19 provides unique challenges for tracheostomy care: health-care workers need to safely undertake tracheostomy procedures and manage patients afterwards, minimising risks of nosocomial transmission and compromises in the quality of care. Conflicting recommendations exist about case selection, the timing and performance of tracheostomy, and the subsequent management of patients. In response, we convened an international working group of individuals with relevant expertise in tracheostomy. We did a literature and internet search for reports of research pertaining to tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic, supplemented by sources comprising statements and guidance on tracheostomy care. By synthesising early experiences from countries that have managed a surge in patient numbers, emerging virological data, and international, multidisciplinary expert opinion, we aim to provide consensus guidelines and recommendations on the conduct and management of tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Samanta R, Dunning J, Taylor A, et al., 2020, Severe Respiratory Failure in Adult Influenza Infection Is Characterised by Mechanisms Relating to Pulmonary Endothelial Leak and Interferon Gamma Induced Translational Silencing, International Conference of the American-Thoracic-Society (ATS), Publisher: AMER THORACIC SOC, ISSN: 1073-449X
Goya S, Galiano M, Nauwelaers I, et al., 2020, Toward unified molecular surveillance of RSV: A proposal for genotype definition, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Vol: 14, Pages: 274-285, ISSN: 1750-2640
BackgroundHuman respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is classified into antigenic subgroups A and B. Thirteen genotypes have been defined for RSV‐A and 20 for RSV‐B, without any consensus on genotype definition.MethodsWe evaluated clustering of RSV sequences published in GenBank until February 2018 to define genotypes by using maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses and average p‐distances.ResultsWe compared the patterns of sequence clustering of complete genomes; the three surface glycoproteins genes (SH, G, and F, single and concatenated); the ectodomain and the 2nd hypervariable region of G gene. Although complete genome analysis achieved the best resolution, the F, G, and G‐ectodomain phylogenies showed similar topologies with statistical support comparable to complete genome. Based on the widespread geographic representation and large number of available G‐ectodomain sequences, this region was chosen as the minimum region suitable for RSV genotyping. A genotype was defined as a monophyletic cluster of sequences with high statistical support (≥80% bootstrap and ≥0.8 posterior probability), with an intragenotype p‐distance ≤0.03 for both subgroups and an intergenotype p‐distance ≥0.09 for RSV‐A and ≥0.05 for RSV‐B. In this work, the number of genotypes was reduced from 13 to three for RSV‐A (GA1‐GA3) and from 20 to seven for RSV‐B (GB1‐GB7). Within these, two additional levels of classification were defined: subgenotypes and lineages. Signature amino acid substitutions to complement this classification were also identified.ConclusionsWe propose an objective protocol for RSV genotyping suitable for adoption as an international standard to support the global expansion of RSV molecular surveillance.
Docherty AB, Harrison EM, Green CA, et al., 2020, Features of 16,749 hospitalised UK patients with COVID-19 using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol
<jats:title>Structured abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>To characterize the clinical features of patients with severe COVID-19 in the UK.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Design</jats:title><jats:p>Prospective observational cohort study with rapid data gathering and near real-time analysis, using a pre-approved questionnaire adopted by the WHO.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Setting</jats:title><jats:p>166 UK hospitals between 6<jats:sup>th</jats:sup> February and 18<jats:sup>th</jats:sup> April 2020.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Participants</jats:title><jats:p>16,749 people with COVID-19.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Interventions</jats:title><jats:p>No interventions were performed, but with consent samples were taken for research purposes. Many participants were co-enrolled in other interventional studies and clinical trials.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The median age was 72 years [IQR 57, 82; range 0, 104], the median duration of symptoms before admission was 4 days [IQR 1,8] and the median duration of hospital stay was 7 days [IQR 4,12]. The commonest comorbidities were chronic cardiac disease (29%), uncomplicated diabetes (19%), non-asthmatic chronic pulmonary disease (19%) and asthma (14%); 47% had no documented reported comorbidity. Increased age and comorbidities including obesity were associated with a higher probability of mortality. Distinct clusters of symptoms were found: 1. respiratory (cough, sputum, sore throat, runny nose, ear pain, wheeze, and chest pain); 2. systemic (myalgia, joint pain and fatigue); 3. enteric (abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea). Overall, 49% of patients were dischar
Park M, Thwaites RS, Openshaw PJM, 2020, COVID-19: Lessons from SARS and MERS., European Journal of Immunology, Vol: 50, Pages: 308-311, ISSN: 0014-2980
Butler CC, van der Velden AW, Bongard E, et al., 2020, Oseltamivir plus usual care versus usual care for influenza-like illness in primary care: an open-label, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial, LANCET, Vol: 395, Pages: 42-52, ISSN: 0140-6736
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- Citations: 55
Guvenel A, Jozwik A, Ascough S, et al., 2020, Epitope-specific airway-resident CD4+ T-cell dynamics during experimental human RSV infection, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol: 130, Pages: 523-538, ISSN: 0021-9738
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute pulmonary disease and one of the last remaining major infections of childhood for which there is no vaccine. CD4+ T-cells play a key role in antiviral immunity, but they have been little studied in the human lung. Methods: Healthy adult volunteers were inoculated intranasally with RSV A Memphis 37. CD4+ T-cells in blood and lower airway were analysed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Bronchial soluble mediators were measured using quantitative PCR and MesoScale Discovery. Epitope mapping was performed by IFN-γ ELISpot screening, confirmed by in vitro MHC binding. Results: Activated CD4+ T-cell frequencies in bronchoalveolar lavage correlated strongly with local CXCL10 levels. Thirty-nine epitopes were identified, predominantly towards the 3’ end of the viral genome. Five novel MHC-II tetramers were made using an immunodominant F-EFY epitope restricted to HLA-DR4, -DR9 and -DR11 (combined allelic frequency: 15% in Europeans) and G- DDF restricted to HLA-DPA1*01:03/DPB1*02:01 and -DPA1*01:03/DPB1*04:01 (allelic frequency: 55%). Tetramer labelling revealed enrichment of resident memory CD4+ T-cells (TRM) cells in the lower airway; these TRM displayed progressive differentiation, down-regulation of co- stimulatory molecules and elevated CXCR3 expression as infection evolved. Conclusion: Human infection challenge provides a unique opportunity to study the breadth of specificity and dynamics of RSV-specific T-cell responses in the target organ, allowing the precise investigation of TRM recognising novel viral antigens over time. The new tools that we describe enable precise tracking of RSV-specific CD4+ cells, potentially accelerating the development of effective vaccines.
Swieboda D, Guo Y, Sagawe S, et al., 2019, OMIP-062: A 14-Color, 16-antibody panel for immunophenotyping human innate yymphoid, myeloid and T cells in small volumes of whole blood and pediatric airway samples, Cytometry Part A, Vol: 95, Pages: 1231-1235, ISSN: 1552-4949
This 14‐color, 16‐antibody OMIP was designed for enumeration of leukocyte responses in pediatric samples, where sample volumes and cell numbers can be very low. Leukocytes identified by this panel include all major members of the innate lymphoid cell (ILC) family (ILC1s, ILC2s, and ILC3s), natural killer cells (NK cells), granulocytes (neutrophils and eosinophils), T‐cells (CD4+ and CD8+), mucosal‐associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells) and NKT‐like cells. The protocol was optimized using small volumes of peripheral blood and validated in airway samples obtained from children (< 2 years of age) admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Given this backdrop, this OMIP is widely applicable to clinical research using low volume or paucicellular samples, such as studies of innate and adaptive immune responses in infants and children, with potential clinical application in diagnostics and monitoring of patients by pediatricians.
Openshaw P, Thwaites R, 2019, The respiratory mucosa: Front and center in RSV disease, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol: 200, Pages: 1340-1342, ISSN: 1073-449X
Jha A, Dunning J, Tunstall T, et al., 2019, Patterns of systemic and local inflammation in patients with asthma hospitalised with influenza, European Respiratory Journal, Vol: 54, ISSN: 0903-1936
BackgroundPatients with asthma are at risk of hospitalisation with influenza, but the reasons for this predisposition are unknown.Study settingA prospective observational study of adults with PCR-confirmed influenza in 11 UK hospitals, measuring nasal, nasopharyngeal and systemic immune mediators and whole-blood gene expression.ResultsOf 133 admissions, 40 (30%) had previous asthma; these were more often female (70% vs 38.7%, OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.67 to 8.18, P = 0.0012), required less mechanical ventilation (15% vs 37.6%, χ2 6.78, P=0.0338) and had shorter hospital stays (mean 8.3 vs 15.3 d, P=0.0333) than those without. In patients without asthma, severe outcomes were more frequent in those given corticosteroids (OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.02-6.96, P=0.0466) or presenting >4 days after disease onset (OR 5.49, 95% CI 2.28–14.03, P=0.0002). Influenza vaccination in at-risk groups (including asthma) were lower than intended by national policy and the early use of antiviral medications were less than optimal. Mucosal immune responses were equivalent between groups. Those with asthma had higher serum IFN-α but lower serum TNF, IL-5, IL-6, CXCL8, CXCL9, IL-10, IL-17 and CCL2 levels (all P<0.05); both groups had similar serum IL-13, total IgE, periostin and blood eosinophil gene expression levels. Asthma diagnosis was unrelated to viral load, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-5 or IL-13 levels.ConclusionsAsthma is common in those hospitalised with influenza, but may not represent classical Type 2-driven disease. Those admitted with influenza tend to be female with mild serum inflammatory responses, increased serum IFN-α levels and good clinical outcomes.
Coultas JA, Smyth R, Openshaw PJ, 2019, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): a scourge from infancy to old age, Thorax, Vol: 74, Pages: 986-993, ISSN: 0040-6376
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common single cause of respiratory hospitalisation of infants and is the second largest cause of lower respiratory infection mortality worldwide. In adults, RSV is an under-recognised cause of deterioration in health, particularly in frail elderly persons. Infection rates typically rise in late autumn and early winter causing bronchiolitis in infants, common colds in adults and insidious respiratory illness in the elderly. Virus detection methods optimised for use in children have low detection rate in adults, highlighting the need for better diagnostic tests. There are many vaccines under development, mostly based on the surface glycoprotein F which exists in two conformations (prefusion and postfusion). Much of the neutralising antibody appears to be to the prefusion form. Vaccines being developed include live attenuated, subunit, particle based and live vectored agents. Different vaccine strategies may be appropriate for different target populations: at-risk infants, school-age children, adult caregivers and the elderly. Antiviral drugs are in clinical trial and may find a place in disease management. RSV disease is one of the major remaining common tractable challenges in infectious diseases and the era of vaccines and antivirals for RSV is on the near horizon.
Ascough S, Vlachantoni I, Kalyan M, et al., 2019, Local and systemic immunity against RSV induced by a novel intranasal vaccine: A randomised, double- blind, placebo-controlled trial, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol: 200, Pages: 481-492, ISSN: 1073-449X
RATIONALE: Needle-free intranasal vaccines offer major potential advantages, especially against pathogens entering via mucosal surfaces. As yet, there is no effective vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a ubiquitous pathogen of global importance that preferentially infects respiratory epithelial cells; new strategies are urgently required. OBJECTIVES: Here, we report the safety and immunogenicity of a novel mucosal RSV F protein vaccine linked to an immunostimulatory bacterium-like particle (BLP). METHODS: In this phase I, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 48 healthy volunteers aged 18-49 years were randomly assigned to receive placebo or SynGEM (low- or high-dose) intranasally by prime-boost administration. The primary outcome was safety and tolerability, with secondary objectives assessing virus-specific immunogenicity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences in adverse events between placebo and vaccinated groups. SynGEM induced systemic plasmablast responses and significant, durable increases in RSV-specific serum antibody in healthy seropositive adults. Volunteers given low-dose SynGEM (140 µg F, 2mg BLP) required a boost at day 28 to achieve plateau responses with a maximum fold-change of 2.4, whereas high-dose recipients (350 µg F, 5mg BLP) achieved plateau responses with a fold-change of 1.5 after first vaccination that remained elevated up to 180 days post-vaccination irrespective of further boosting. Palivizumab-like antibodies were consistently induced, but F protein site Ø-specific antibodies were not detected and virus-specific nasal IgA responses were heterogeneous, with strongest responses in individuals with lower pre-existing antibody levels. CONCLUSIONS: SynGEM is thus the first non-replicating intranasal RSV subunit vaccine to induce persistent antibody responses in human volunteers. Clinical trial registration available at www.clinicaltrials.gov, ID NCT02958540.
Li Y, Reeves RM, Wang X, et al., 2019, Global patterns in monthly activity of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus: a systematic analysis, LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH, Vol: 7, Pages: E1031-E1045, ISSN: 2214-109X
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Nauwelaers I, Talts T, Galiano M, et al., 2019, Deep sequencing of respiratory syncytial virus links viral diversity to disease severity, Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Pages: S13-S13
Progatzky F, Jha A, Wane M, et al., 2019, Induction of innate cytokine responses by respiratory mucosal challenge with R848 in zebrafish, mice and humans, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol: 144, Pages: 342-345.e7, ISSN: 0091-6749
We compared live zebrafish, mouse and human nasal challenge responses to the TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod (R848). We found remarkably similar induction of mediators in the three species, offering novel mucosal models of innate anti-viral immunity.
Singhania A, Graham CM, Gabrysova L, et al., 2019, Transcriptional profiling unveils type I and II interferon networks in blood and tissues across diseases, Nature Communications, Vol: 10, ISSN: 2041-1723
Understanding how immune challenges elicit different responses is critical for diagnosing and deciphering immune regulation. Using a modular strategy to interpret the complex transcriptional host response in mouse models of infection and inflammation, we show a breadth of immune responses in the lung. Lung immune signatures are dominated by either IFN-γ and IFN-inducible, IL-17-induced neutrophil- or allergy-associated gene expression. Type I IFN and IFN-γ-inducible, but not IL-17- or allergy-associated signatures, are preserved in the blood. While IL-17-associated genes identified in lung are detected in blood, the allergy signature is only detectable in blood CD4+ effector cells. Type I IFN-inducible genes are abrogated in the absence of IFN-γ signaling and decrease in the absence of IFNAR signaling, both independently contributing to the regulation of granulocyte responses and pathology during Toxoplasma gondii infection. Our framework provides an ideal tool for comparative analyses of transcriptional signatures contributing to protection or pathogenesis in disease.
Jha A, Thwaites R, Tunstall T, et al., 2019, Enhanced in vivo vivo mucosal interferon and chemokine responses to a single stranded RNA analogue (R848) in participants with asthma, ERJ Open Research, Vol: 5, ISSN: 2312-0541
Background: Viruses play an important role in asthma exacerbations and are detected by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Better characterization of mucosal innate immunity to viral triggers may help understand dysregulated host responses in asthma.Aims & Objectives: A synthetic analogue of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod (R848) was administered in vivo to study the effect of allergy and asthma on nasal mucosal innate immune responses.Methods: Nasal spray with saline and R848 was administered to healthy non-allergic (n=12), allergic rhinitis (n=12) and allergic asthma (n=11) participants. Immune mediators from nasal and blood samples, nasal mucosal gene expression and peripheral differential cell counts were measured.Results: R848 was well tolerated with no evidence of systemic immune activation. R848 significantly induced nasal mucosal IFN-a2a, IFN-?, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-2, IL-12p70) and chemokines (CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 and CCL13) compared to saline. Participants with allergic rhinitis and asthma had increased IFN-a2a, CCL3 and CCL13 relative to healthy participants, whilst those with asthma alone had increased gene expression of interferon stimulated genes DDX58, MX1 and IFIT3. Nasal R848 administration was associated with a decrease in blood eosinophils at 4h and decrease in peripheral lymphocytes at 24h, a finding restricted to participants with allergic rhinitis and asthma.Conclusions: These results confirm the suitability of nasal delivery of R848 as a non-invasive tool to assess mucosal innate immunity and highlights a key role for asthma in determining host responses to viral RNA analogues.
Dunning J, Blankley S, Hoang LT, et al., 2019, Author Correction: Progression of whole-blood transcriptional signatures from interferon-induced to neutrophil-associated patterns in severe influenza., Nature Immunology, Vol: 20, Pages: 373-373, ISSN: 1529-2908
In the version of this article initially published, a source of funding was not included in the Acknowledgements section. That section should include the following: P.J.M.O. was supported by EU FP7 PREPARE project 602525. The error has been corrected in the HTML and PDF version of the article.
Wiseman DJ, Kamal F, Finney L, et al., 2019, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Detection Is Associated with an Increased Inflammatory Response in Stable (non-Exacerbating) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients, International Conference of the American-Thoracic-Society, Publisher: AMER THORACIC SOC, ISSN: 1073-449X
Helbig C, Williamson C, Fundberg J, et al., 2018, Men and women in immunology: Closing the gap on gender parity?, European Journal of Immunology, Vol: 48, Pages: 1776-1779, ISSN: 0014-2980
Mazur NI, Higgins D, Nunes MC, et al., 2018, The respiratory syncytial virus vaccine landscape: lessons from the graveyard and promising candidates, Lancet Infectious Diseases, Vol: 18, Pages: e295-e311, ISSN: 1473-3099
The global burden of disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognised, not only in infants, but also in older adults (aged ≥65 years). Advances in knowledge of the structural biology of the RSV surface fusion glycoprotein have revolutionised RSV vaccine development by providing a new target for preventive interventions. The RSV vaccine landscape has rapidly expanded to include 19 vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in clinical trials, reflecting the urgency of reducing this global health problem and hence the prioritisation of RSV vaccine development. The candidates include mAbs and vaccines using four approaches: (1) particle-based, (2) live-attenuated or chimeric, (3) subunit, (4) vector-based. Late-phase RSV vaccine trial failures highlight gaps in knowledge regarding immunological protection and provide lessons for future development. In this Review, we highlight promising new approaches for RSV vaccine design and provide a comprehensive overview of RSV vaccine candidates and mAbs in clinical development to prevent one of the most common and severe infectious diseases in young children and older adults worldwide.
Swieboda D, Thwaites R, Nadel S, et al., 2018, The role of innate lymphoid cells in early life lung infection, 28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS), Publisher: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD, ISSN: 0903-1936
Barclay W, Openshaw P, 2018, The 1918 Influenza Pandemic: one hundred years of progress, but where now?, Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Vol: 6, ISSN: 2213-2600
Schwarze J, Openshaw P, Jha A, et al., 2018, Influenza burden, prevention and treatment in asthma - a scoping review by the EAACI Influenza in Asthma Task Force, Allergy, Vol: 73, Pages: 1151-1181, ISSN: 0105-4538
To address uncertainties in the prevention and management of influenza in people with asthma, we performed a scoping review of the published literature on influenza burden; current vaccine recommendations; vaccination coverage; immunogenicity, efficacy, effectiveness and safety of influenza vaccines; and the benefits of antiviral drugs in people with asthma. We found significant variation in the reported rates of influenza detection in individuals with acute asthma exacerbations making it unclear to what degree influenza causes exacerbations of underlying asthma. The strongest evidence of an association was seen in studies of children. Countries in the European Union currently recommend influenza vaccination of adults with asthma; however, coverage varied between regions. Coverage was lower among children with asthma. Limited data suggest that good seroprotection and seroconversion can be achieved in both children and adults with asthma and that vaccination confers a degree of protection against influenza illness and asthma related morbidity to children with asthma. There were insufficient data to determine efficacy in adults. Overall, influenza vaccines appeared to be safe for people with asthma. We identify knowledge gaps and make recommendations on future research needs in relation to influenza in patients with asthma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Dunning J, Blankley S, Hoang LT, et al., 2018, Progression of whole-blood transcriptional signatures from interferon-induced to neutrophil-associated patterns in severe influenza, Nature Immunology, Vol: 19, Pages: 625-635, ISSN: 1529-2916
Transcriptional profiles and host-response biomarkers are used increasingly to investigate the severity, subtype and pathogenesis of disease. We now describe whole-blood mRNA signatures and concentrations of local and systemic immunological mediators in 131 adults hospitalized with influenza, from whom extensive clinical and investigational data were obtained by MOSAIC investigators. Signatures reflective of interferon-related antiviral pathways were common up to day 4 of symptoms in patients who did not require mechanical ventilator support; in those who needed mechanical ventilation, an inflammatory, activated-neutrophil and cell-stress or death (‘bacterial’) pattern was seen, even early in disease. Identifiable bacterial co-infection was not necessary for this ‘bacterial’ signature but was able to enhance its development while attenuating the early ‘viral’ signature. Our findings emphasize the importance of timing and severity in the interpretation of host responses to acute viral infection and identify specific patterns of immune-system activation that might enable the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for severe influenza.
Thwaites RS, Gunawardana NC, Broich V, et al., 2018, Biphasic activation of complement and fibrinolysis during the human nasal allergic response, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol: 141, Pages: 1892-1895.e6, ISSN: 0091-6749
Complement, coagulation and fibrinolysis contribute to the pathology of many respiratory diseases. Here we detail the biphasic activation of these pathways following nasal allergen challenge. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to therapeutic insight in common respiratory diseases.
Thwaites RS, Coates M, Ito K, et al., 2018, Reduced nasal viral load and IFN responses in infants with RSV bronchiolitis and respiratory failure, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol: 198, Pages: 1074-1084, ISSN: 1073-449X
RATIONALE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infancy. Severe disease is thought to result from uncontrolled viral replication, an excessive immune response, or both. OBJECTIVES: To determine RSV load and immune mediator levels in nasal mucosal lining fluid by serial sampling of nasal fluids from cases of moderate and severe bronchiolitis over the course of infection. METHODS: Infants with viral bronchiolitis necessitating admission (n=55) were recruited from a paediatric centre during 2016/17. Of these, 30 were RSV infected (18 'moderate', and 12 mechanically ventilated 'severe'). Nasal fluids were sampled frequently over time using nasosorption devices and nasophayngeal aspiration (NPA). Hierarchical clustering of time weighted averages (TWA) was performed to investigate cytokine and chemokine levels, and gene expression profiling was conducted. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Unexpectedly, cases of severe RSV bronchiolitis had lower nasal viral loads and reduced interferon (IFN)-γ and CCL5/RANTES levels compared to those with moderate disease, especially when allowance was made for disease duration (all P<0.05). Reduced cytokine/chemokine levels in severe disease were also seen in children with other viral infections. Gene expression analysis of NPA samples (n=43) confirmed reduced type-I IFN gene expression in severe bronchiolitis accompanied by enhanced expression of MUC5AC and IL17A. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with severe RSV bronchiolitis have lower nasal viral load, IP-10/CXCL10 and type-I IFNs levels compared to moderately ill children, but enhanced MUC5AC and IL17A gene expression in nasal cells.
Thwaites RS, Jarvis HC, Singh N, et al., 2018, Absorption of nasal and bronchial fluids: precision sampling of the human respiratory mucosa and laboratory processing of samples, Jove-Journal of Visualized Experiments, Vol: 131, ISSN: 1940-087X
The methods of nasal absorption (NA) and bronchial absorption (BA) use synthetic absorptive matrices (SAM) to absorb the mucosal lining fluid (MLF) of the human respiratory tract. NA is a non-invasive technique which absorbs fluid from the inferior turbinate, and causes minimal discomfort. NA has yielded reproducible results with the ability to frequently repeat sampling of the upper airway. By comparison, alternative methods of sampling the respiratory mucosa, such as nasopharyngeal aspiration (NPA) and conventional swabbing, are more invasive and may result in greater data variability. Other methods have limitations, for instance, biopsies and bronchial procedures are invasive, sputum contains many dead and dying cells and requires liquefaction, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) contains water and saliva, and lavage samples are dilute and variable. BA can be performed through the working channel of a bronchoscope in clinic. Sampling is well tolerated and can be conducted at multiple sites in the airway. BA results in MLF samples being less dilute than bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. This article demonstrates the techniques of NA and BA, as well as the laboratory processing of the resulting samples, which can be tailored to the desired downstream biomarker being measured. These absorption techniques are useful alternatives to the conventional sampling techniques used in clinical respiratory research.
Petrarca L, Midulla F, Openshaw PJ, 2018, Vaccination policies in Europe: Common goals, diverse approaches and public doubts., European Journal of Immunology, Vol: 48, Pages: 10-12, ISSN: 0014-2980
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