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Norman FF, Gonzalez-Sanz M. Pulmonary infections in the returning traveler. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2024; 30:243-251. [PMID: 38323419 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The recent COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the epidemiology of other infectious diseases globally. International tourist arrivals are increasing and recovering to prepandemic levels. This review focuses on respiratory infections in travelers, highlighting the characteristics of the main imported viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections with pulmonary involvement. RECENT FINDINGS A recent systematic review estimated a prevalence of respiratory symptoms in travelers of around 35%, increasing to nearly 65% in the context of mass gatherings. Common viral and bacterial pathogens account for the majority of respiratory infections with an identified cause; however, recent data focus on the need for surveillance of emerging infections such as MERS-CoV, henipaviruses and multidrug resistant bacteria, which may be spread through travel. Fungal and parasitic respiratory infections are less common, and acquisition is usually associated with specific risk factors or exposure in endemic areas. Special risk groups, such as immunocompromised travelers, may be particularly vulnerable, presenting with severe disease or reactivation of latent infections. SUMMARY The next significant international epidemic could involve another new infectious agent causing respiratory disease and spreading via mobile populations. Official protocols should be adhered to, and public health interventions implemented for effective control. Continued and globally coordinated investments in research for new vaccines, therapeutic agents, disease modeling, and digital tracking strategies are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca F Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS
- Universidad de Alcalá
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Gonzalez-Sanz
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS
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Alhabibi AM, Hassan AS, Abd Elbaky NM, Eid HA, Khalifa MAAA, Wahab MA, Althoqapy AA, Abdou AE, Zakaria DM, Nassef EM, Kasim SA, Saleh OI, Elsheikh AA, Lotfy M, Sayed A. Impact of Toll-Like Receptor 2 and 9 Gene Polymorphisms on COVID-19: Susceptibility, Severity, and Thrombosis. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:665-675. [PMID: 36825132 PMCID: PMC9942505 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s394927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Aim We aimed to detect the association between TLR2 rs5743708 G>A and TLR9 rs5743836 C>T variants and COVID-19 disease susceptibility, severity, and thrombosis by using neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Subjects and Methods We included 100 adult COVID-19 patients as well as 100 age- and gender-matched normal controls. Participants were genotyped for TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR9 rs5743836. Citrullinated Histone (H3) was detected as an indicator of NETs. Results The mutant (G/A and C/C) genotypes and (A and C) alleles of TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR9 rs5743836, respectively, have been significantly related to a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, representing a significant risk factor for the severity of COVID-19. There was no significant association between the two variants and citrullinated histone (H3). Conclusion TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR9 rs5743836 variants have been significantly related to a higher risk and severity of COVID-19 infection but had no effect on thrombus formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alshaymaa M Alhabibi
- Departments of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt,Correspondence: Alshaymaa M Alhabibi, Tel +201002894075, Email
| | - Asmaa S Hassan
- Departments of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Hoda Asaad Eid
- Chest Disease, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Maisa A Wahab
- Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Azza Ali Althoqapy
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aml E Abdou
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Eman Mostafa Nassef
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sammar Ahmed Kasim
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ola I Saleh
- Radio-Diagnosis, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Abdelghany Elsheikh
- Community and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Lotfy
- Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Minufiya, Egypt
| | - Alaa Sayed
- Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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Jung HE, Lee HK. Current Understanding of the Innate Control of Toll-like Receptors in Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:2132. [PMID: 34834939 PMCID: PMC8622567 DOI: 10.3390/v13112132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, threatens the entire world. It has affected every aspect of life and increased the burden on both healthcare and socioeconomic systems. Current studies have revealed that excessive inflammatory immune responses are responsible for the severity of COVID-19, which suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs may be promising therapeutic treatments. However, there are currently a limited number of approved therapeutics for COVID-19. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize microbial components derived from invading pathogens, are involved in both the initiation of innate responses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the hyperinflammatory phenotype of COVID-19. In this review, we provide current knowledge on the pivotal role of TLRs in immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and demonstrate the potential effectiveness of TLR-targeting drugs on the control of hyperinflammation in patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heung Kyu Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea;
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Muhammed Y, Yusuf Nadabo A, Pius M, Sani B, Usman J, Anka Garba N, Mohammed Sani J, Opeyemi Olayanju B, Zeal Bala S, Garba Abdullahi M, Sambo M. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and RNA dependent RNA polymerase as targets for drug and vaccine development: A review. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2021; 3:249-263. [PMID: 34396086 PMCID: PMC8346354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The present pandemic has posed a crisis to the economy of the world and the health sector. Therefore, the race to expand research to understand some good molecular targets for vaccine and therapeutic development for SARS-CoV-2 is inevitable. The newly discovered coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA, and enveloped virus, assigned to the beta CoV genus. The virus (SARS-CoV-2) is more infectious than the previously detected coronaviruses (MERS and SARS). Findings from many studies have revealed that S protein and RdRp are good targets for drug repositioning, novel therapeutic development (antibodies and small molecule drugs), and vaccine discovery. Therapeutics such as chloroquine, convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, spike binding peptides, and small molecules could alter the ability of S protein to bind to the ACE-2 receptor, and drugs such as remdesivir (targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp), favipir, and emetine could prevent SASR-CoV-2 RNA synthesis. The novel vaccines such as mRNA1273 (Moderna), 3LNP-mRNAs (Pfizer/BioNTech), and ChAdOx1-S (University of Oxford/Astra Zeneca) targeting S protein have proven to be effective in combating the present pandemic. Further exploration of the potential of S protein and RdRp is crucial in fighting the present pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Muhammed
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Gusau, Nigeria,Corresponding author: Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Gusau, Nigeria
| | | | - Mkpouto Pius
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
| | - Bashiru Sani
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria
| | - Jafar Usman
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Gusau, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Basit Opeyemi Olayanju
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, FL 33199, USA
| | | | | | - Misbahu Sambo
- Department of Biochemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria
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