Acute Respiratory Infections: Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications and Prevention

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines and Therapeutic Developments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 13209

Special Issue Editor

Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju KS018, Republic of Korea
Interests: pediatric allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy); pediatric respiratory diseases; post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Acute respiratory infections represent one of the highest global burdens of diseases both in adults and children. The advent of antibiotic-resistant infections, such as macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneupmoniae, is associated with increased complication events and increased disease burden. In addition, the cyclic advent of de novo infection epidemics, such as SARS-CoV-2 infection, can result in interruptions to daily life. Therefore, the establishment of timely diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic strategies is necessary to improve the clinical outcomes related to acute respiratory infections. In this Special Issue of Pathogens, any research regarding the diagnosis, treatment, complications and prevention of acute respiratory infections are welcomed to improve global health.

Dr. Eun Lee
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • bronchiolitis
  • children
  • pneumonia
  • respiratory infection
  • diagnosis
  • treatment

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1684 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases on Viral Pneumonia Development, Including COVID-19: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
by Kexin Yi, Mingjie Tian and Xue Li
Pathogens 2024, 13(2), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020101 - 24 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
The association between thyroid function and viral pneumonia has undergone extensive examination, yet the presence of a causal link remains uncertain. The objective of this paper was to employ Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the connections between three thyroid diseases and [...] Read more.
The association between thyroid function and viral pneumonia has undergone extensive examination, yet the presence of a causal link remains uncertain. The objective of this paper was to employ Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the connections between three thyroid diseases and thyroid hormone indicators with viral pneumonia and COVID-19. We obtained summary statistics datasets from seven genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The primary method used for estimating relationships was inverse-variance weighting (IVW). In addition, we employed weighted median, weighted mode, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO as supplementary analytical tools. Sensitivity analyses encompassed Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, and MR-PRESSO. Our study revealed significant causal relationships between having a genetic predisposition to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and an increased susceptibility to viral pneumonia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.096; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.022–1.176). Moreover, it demonstrated a heightened susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 (OR for COVID-19 susceptibility, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19 critical illness, with 95% CIs of 1.016, 1.001–1.032; 1.058, 1.003–1.116; 1.045, 1.010–1.081). However, no statistically significant associations were found between TSH, FT4, subclinical hypo- or hyperthyroidism, and the risk of viral pneumonia incidence, or the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 (all p > 0.05). This study establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between AITD and the development of viral pneumonia, as well as the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. Full article
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18 pages, 1641 KiB  
Systematic Review
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Vaccines in Adults
by Jennifer L. Farrar, Lana Childs, Mahamoudou Ouattara, Fahmina Akhter, Amadea Britton, Tamara Pilishvili and Miwako Kobayashi
Pathogens 2023, 12(5), 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12050732 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5205
Abstract
New pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), 15- and 20-valent (PCV15 and PCV20), have been licensed for use among U.S. adults based on safety and immunogenicity data compared with the previously recommended 13-valent PCV (PCV13) and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV23). We conducted a systematic [...] Read more.
New pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), 15- and 20-valent (PCV15 and PCV20), have been licensed for use among U.S. adults based on safety and immunogenicity data compared with the previously recommended 13-valent PCV (PCV13) and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV23). We conducted a systematic review of the literature on PCV13 and PPSV23 efficacy (randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) or effectiveness (observational studies) against vaccine type (PCV13 type or PPSV23 type, respectively), invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) in adults. We utilized the search strategy from a previous systematic review of the literature published during the period from January 2016 to April 2019, and updated the search through March 2022. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2.0 tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. When feasible, meta-analyses were conducted. Of the 5085 titles identified, 19 studies were included. One RCT reported PCV13 efficacy of 75% (PCV13-type IPD) and 45% (PCV13-type PP). Three studies each reported PCV13 effectiveness against PCV13-type IPD (range 47% to 68%) and against PCV13-type PP (range 38% to 68%). The pooled PPSV23 effectiveness was 45% (95% CI: 37%, 51%) against PPSV23-type IPD (nine studies) and 18% (95% CI: −4%, 35%) against PPSV23-type PP (five studies). Despite the heterogeneity across studies, our findings suggest that PCV13 and PPSV23 protect against VT-IPD and VT-PP in adults. Full article
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11 pages, 1027 KiB  
Systematic Review
Pulmonary Function in Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Eun Lee, Suyeon Park and Hyeon-Jong Yang
Pathogens 2022, 11(12), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11121538 - 14 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2150
Abstract
Owing to the rarity of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), pulmonary function in children with PIBO has been mainly investigated in small-sample sized studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated pulmonary function in children with PIBO, regardless of age at respiratory insult and PIBO [...] Read more.
Owing to the rarity of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), pulmonary function in children with PIBO has been mainly investigated in small-sample sized studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated pulmonary function in children with PIBO, regardless of age at respiratory insult and PIBO diagnosis. A systematic literature search revealed 16 studies reporting pulmonary function data in 480 children with PIBO. Levels of key pulmonary function parameters were summarized by pooled mean difference (MD) only in children with PIBO, and a random effect model was used. Pooled MDs (95% confidence interval [CI]) for FEV1, FVC, and FEF25–75% were 51.4, (44.2 to 58.5), 68.4 (64.4 to 72.3), and 26.5 (19.3 to 33.6) % predicted, respectively, with FEV1/FVC of 68.8% (62.2 to 75.4). Pooled MDs (95% CI) of the z-scores for FEV1, FVC, and FEF25–75% were −2.6 (−4.2 to −0.9), −1.9 (−3.2 to −0.5), and −2.0 (−3.6 to −0.4). Pooled MD (95% CI) for the diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide from two studies was 64.9 (45.6 to 84.3) % predicted. The post-bronchodilator use change in the FEV1 in three studies was 6.1 (4.9 to 7.2). There was considerable heterogeneity across the studies. PIBO is associated with moderately impaired pulmonary function, and this review facilitates an understanding of PIBO pathophysiology in children. Full article
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12 pages, 769 KiB  
Systematic Review
Risk Factors for the Development of Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Eun Lee, Suyeon Park, Kyunghoon Kim and Hyeon-Jong Yang
Pathogens 2022, 11(11), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111268 - 31 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2611
Abstract
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), one of the major complications of respiratory tract infection, is commonly underdiagnosed. To identify the risk groups that may develop PIBO and avoid misdiagnoses, we investigated the risk factors associated with the development of PIBO. We searched PubMed, Embase, [...] Read more.
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), one of the major complications of respiratory tract infection, is commonly underdiagnosed. To identify the risk groups that may develop PIBO and avoid misdiagnoses, we investigated the risk factors associated with the development of PIBO. We searched PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases for studies that included risk factors for the development of PIBO published from inception to 13 June 2022. We limited our search to studies that reported the estimates of odds ratio (OR), hazard ratio (HR), or relative risks for developing PIBO. A fixed-effect and a random-effect model were used. We included seven studies reporting data on the risk factors for PIBO in 344 children with PIBO and 1310 control children. Twenty-two variables, including sex, age, respiratory pathogens, symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings, and mechanical ventilation, were mentioned in at least one study. The significant risk factors mentioned in two or more studies included elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, pleural effusion, hypoxemia, sex, and mechanical ventilation. The significance of the duration of hospitalization and fever as risk factors for PIBO differed when the studies were classified according to the statistical method. In addition, the risk factors differed according to respiratory infection pathogens. This meta-analysis identified potential risk factors associated with the development of PIBO. The results of this study highlight the importance of avoiding misdiagnosis and help establish management strategies for patients at a high risk of developing PIBO. Full article
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