New findings reported from Johns Hopkins University describe advances in pediatrics
2007 NOV 15 -- "We characterized the T helper cytokine profiles in the respiratory tract of infants infected with influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus to examine whether these agents elicit similar cytokine responses and whether T helper type 2 polarization is associated with wheezing and severe diseaseA prospective study of infants who were seeking medical help for acute upper and/or lower respiratory tract infection symptoms for the first time and were found to be infected with influenza, human metapneumovirus, or respiratory syncytial virus was performed. Respiratory viruses were detected in nasal secretions with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays," researchers in the United States report. "The study was performed in emergency departments and outpatient clinics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. T cell cytokine responses were determined in nasal secretions with immunoassays and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assaysInfluenza elicited higher levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin- 4, and interleukin-2 than did the other agents. Human metapneumovirus had the lowest interferon-gamma/ interleukin- 4 ratio (T helper type 2 bias)," wrote G.A. Melendi and colleagues, Johns Hopkins University. The researchers concluded: "However, no association was found between T helper type 2 bias and overall wheezing or hospitalization ratesThese findings show that viral respiratory infections in infants elicit different cytokine responses and that the pathogeneses of these agents should be studied individually." Melendi and colleagues published their study in Pediatrics (Cytokine profiles in the respiratory tract during primary infection with human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, or influenza virus in infants. Pediatrics, 2007;120(2):E410-E415). For additional information, contact G.A. Melendi, Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Pediatrics, School Medical, 615 N Wolfe St., E5202, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Publisher contact information for the journal Pediatrics is: American Acad Pediatrics, 141 North-West Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098, USA. Keywords: United States, Baltimore, Life Sciences, Pediatric, Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University. This article was prepared by Hospital Law Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Hospital Law Week via NewsRx.com.
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