Epidemiology and Clinical Management of Respiratory Viral Diseases, from Children to Adults

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 January 2025) | Viewed by 7472

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: infectious diseases; bacterial infections; viral infections; antibiotic stewardship

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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: children; child development neurological diseases; autoimmune disorders

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Respiratory viral diseases continue to pose substantial challenges to global public health, demanding a comprehensive understanding of their epidemiology and effective clinical management strategies. This special issue brings together an assemblage of cutting-edge research, presenting a multidimensional exploration of the intricate interplay between epidemiological factors, clinical interventions, and the unique considerations of pediatric patients in the context of respiratory viral infections.

In recent years, the world has witnessed the rapid emergence and re-emergence of respiratory viruses, underscoring the need for an in-depth analysis of their transmission dynamics, risk factors, and impact on vulnerable populations. This collection of articles delves into the epidemiology of various respiratory viruses, ranging from well-known culprits such as influenza and rhinoviruses to novel threats like coronaviruses. Through epidemiological investigations, the contributors unravel patterns of spread, genetic variations, and the role of environmental factors, thereby enriching our grasp of disease dissemination.

Equally vital is the exploration of clinical management strategies that mitigate the burden of respiratory viral diseases. This special issue synthesizes research on diagnostic approaches, antiviral therapies, vaccination efforts, and the particular challenges faced when treating pediatric patients. By elucidating the nuances of host-pathogen interactions, contributors illuminate potential avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, the collection underscores the pivotal role of vaccinations in controlling outbreaks and averting potential pandemics.

As editors of this special issue, we are gratified to present a compendium of research that not only advances our knowledge of respiratory viral disease epidemiology but also contributes to the refinement of clinical practices. We extend our sincere gratitude to the authors whose insightful contributions enrich this discourse, fostering a deeper understanding of these diseases and inspiring future breakthroughs in epidemiology, clinical management, and pediatric care.

Dr. Bruno Cacopardo
Dr. Andrea Marino
Dr. Caterina Ledda
Dr. Piero Pavone
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • respiratory viruses
  • viral pneumonia
  • emerging respiratory viruses
  • antiviral therapy
  • epidemiology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1353 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Radiological Features of an Adenovirus Type 7 Outbreak in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, 2022–2023
by Antea Trogrlic, Dina Mrcela, Danijela Budimir Mrsic, Ivana Jukic, Sanda Sardelic, Irena Tabain, Željka Hruskar, Diana Nonkovic, Josko Markic and Mirela Pavicic Ivelja
Pathogens 2024, 13(12), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13121114 - 17 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are known to be highly contagious pathogens. They are commonly associated with mild respiratory infections in young children but can also cause severe life-threatening infections. Human adenovirus types 4 and 7 have frequently been reported to cause pneumonia in immunocompetent [...] Read more.
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are known to be highly contagious pathogens. They are commonly associated with mild respiratory infections in young children but can also cause severe life-threatening infections. Human adenovirus types 4 and 7 have frequently been reported to cause pneumonia in immunocompetent youths and adults. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical, laboratory, radiological, and microbiological features, as well as the treatment and outcomes of an adenovirus outbreak in 185 patients who were admitted to the Emergency Unit of the Departments of Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Croatia, between October 2022 and April 2023. An unusual increase in the frequency of adenovirus pneumonia was observed, especially in adults, followed by respiratory failure and complications such as pulmonary embolism. The most common chest X-ray findings were unilateral patchy opacity and unilateral reticulations (11.6%), followed by unilateral lobar pneumonia (7.1%). The predominant CT presentation was unilateral lobar pneumonia with multiple patchy ground glass opacities (23.5%) or lobar pneumonia with mixed opacities (17.6%). We found a low correlation between Brixia score and C-reactive protein in adults and no correlation in children. Adenovirus type 7 was almost exclusively isolated from patients with pneumonia. Most of our patients with severe or critical adenovirus pneumonia were immunocompetent adults without any medical history. So far, only a few studies have presented the radiological features of HAdV pneumonia, which generally did not reveal lobar pneumonia in a substantial percentage. Our research also demonstrated an unusual presentation of adenovirus infection complicated with pulmonary embolism, which has rarely been reported in previous studies. The aforementioned HAdV outbreak indicates the necessity for further research, especially in the context of effective antiviral therapy and infection prevention. Full article
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7 pages, 820 KiB  
Communication
Respiratory Pathogen Coinfection During Intersecting COVID-19 and Influenza Epidemics
by Lina Jiang, Yifei Jin, Jingjing Li, Rongqiu Zhang, Yidun Zhang, Hongliang Cheng, Bing Lu, Jing Zheng, Li Li and Zhongyi Wang
Pathogens 2024, 13(12), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13121113 - 17 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Respiratory pathogen coinfections pose significant challenges to global public health, particularly regarding the intersecting epidemics of COVID-19 and influenza. This study investigated the incidences of respiratory infectious pathogens in this unique context. We collected throat swab samples from 308 patients with a fever [...] Read more.
Respiratory pathogen coinfections pose significant challenges to global public health, particularly regarding the intersecting epidemics of COVID-19 and influenza. This study investigated the incidences of respiratory infectious pathogens in this unique context. We collected throat swab samples from 308 patients with a fever from outpatient and emergency departments at sentinel surveillance hospitals in Xiamen, southeast of China, between April and May 2023, testing for SARS-CoV-2 and 26 other respiratory pathogens. The coinfection rate of the XBB SARS-CoV-2 variant with other respiratory pathogens was higher than that observed during the Alpha and Delta phases. Among patients with influenza, bacterial coinfections were more prevalent. Only 0.65% (2/308) of the patients were concurrently infected with both COVID-19 and influenza. Age-stratified analysis showed a clear pattern, with a higher incidence of coinfections in children under 18 years of age. These findings highlight the need for the timely detection of respiratory pathogen coinfections and for the implementation of appropriate interventions, crucial for reducing disease burden during intersecting respiratory epidemics. Full article
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11 pages, 2192 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Patterns of Common Respiratory Viral Infections in Immunocompetent and Immunosuppressed Patients
by Fotis Theodoropoulos, Anika Hüsing, Ulf Dittmer, Karl-Heinz Jöckel, Christian Taube and Olympia E. Anastasiou
Pathogens 2024, 13(8), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13080704 - 20 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1152
Abstract
Introduction: Several respiratory viruses have been shown to have seasonal patterns. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare these patterns in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients for five different respiratory viruses. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of results for 13,591 [...] Read more.
Introduction: Several respiratory viruses have been shown to have seasonal patterns. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare these patterns in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients for five different respiratory viruses. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of results for 13,591 respiratory tract samples for human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza virus, parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. A seasonal pattern was aligned to the data of immunocompetent patients through a logistic regression model of positive and negative test results. Results: A narrow seasonal pattern (January to March) was documented for HMPV. Most RSV infections were detected in the winter and early spring months, from December to March, but occasional cases of RSV could be found throughout the year. The peak season for PIV-3 was during the summer months, and that for PIV-4 was mostly in autumn. A narrow seasonal pattern emerged for influenza virus as most infections were detected in the winter, in January and February. The seasonal patterns of HMPV, RSV, PIV, and influenza virus were similar for both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Conclusions: We found no difference in the seasonality of HMPV, RSV, PIV, and influenza virus infections between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent hosts. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 1408 KiB  
Review
Advances and Challenges in Antiviral Development for Respiratory Viruses
by Luis Adrián De Jesús-González, Moisés León-Juárez, Flor Itzel Lira-Hernández, Bruno Rivas-Santiago, Manuel Adrián Velázquez-Cervantes, Iridiana Monserrat Méndez-Delgado, Daniela Itzel Macías-Guerrero, Jonathan Hernández-Castillo, Ximena Hernández-Rodríguez, Daniela Nahomi Calderón-Sandate, Willy Salvador Mata-Martínez, José Manuel Reyes-Ruíz, Juan Fidel Osuna-Ramos and Ana Cristina García-Herrera
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010020 - 31 Dec 2024
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Abstract
The development of antivirals for respiratory viruses has advanced markedly in response to the growing threat of pathogens such as Influenzavirus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2. This article reviews the advances and challenges in this field, highlighting therapeutic strategies that target [...] Read more.
The development of antivirals for respiratory viruses has advanced markedly in response to the growing threat of pathogens such as Influenzavirus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2. This article reviews the advances and challenges in this field, highlighting therapeutic strategies that target critical stages of the viral replication cycle, including inhibitors of viral entry, replication, and assembly. In addition, innovative approaches such as inhibiting host cellular proteins to reduce viral resistance and repurposing existing drugs are explored, using advanced bioinformatics tools that optimize the identification of antiviral candidates. The analysis also covers emerging technologies such as nanomedicine and CRISPR gene editing, which promise to improve the stability and efficacy of treatments. While current antivirals offer valuable options, they face challenges such as viral evolution and the need for accessible treatments for vulnerable populations. This article underscores the importance of continued innovation in biotechnology to overcome these limitations and provide safe and effective treatments. Combining traditional and advanced approaches in developing antivirals is essential in order to address respiratory viral diseases that affect global health. Full article
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Other

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6 pages, 463 KiB  
Case Report
Coronavirus OC43 and Influenza H3N2 Concomitant Unilateral Parotitis: The Importance of Laboratory Tests in Mumps-Like Parotitis
by Serena Spampinato, Piero Pavone, Giovanni Cacciaguerra, Salvatore Cocuzza, Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo, Silvia Marino, Andrea Marino and Giuseppe Nunnari
Pathogens 2023, 12(11), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12111309 - 2 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
Mumps is an acute generalized infection caused by a Paramyxovirus. Infection occurs mainly in school-aged children and adolescents and the most prominent clinical manifestation is nonsuppurative swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, unilaterally or bilaterally. Negative serology for mumps requires a [...] Read more.
Mumps is an acute generalized infection caused by a Paramyxovirus. Infection occurs mainly in school-aged children and adolescents and the most prominent clinical manifestation is nonsuppurative swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, unilaterally or bilaterally. Negative serology for mumps requires a differential diagnosis with other infectious agents, but it is not routine. An 11-year-old girl presented with fever and right-sided parotitis and a negative serology for Mumps. A respiratory panel revealed the presence of Coronavirus OC43 and influenza virus H3N2. Parotitis may be caused by the parainfluenza virus, Epstein–Barr virus, influenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, or other viruses in addition to noninfectious causes such as drugs, immunologic diseases, or obstruction of the salivary tract as predisposing factors. In this case, Coronavirus OC43 and influenza virus H3N2 were detected. The H3N2 has been already reported in the literature, whereas Coronavirus OC43 has never been associated with parotitis before; although, in the present case, the association of the two viruses does not let us conclude which of the two was responsible for the disease. Full article
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