Prevalence and genotypes of the adenovirus infection as well detection of co-infection with bocavirus in Mexican immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed children with pneumonia.

Background: Adenovirus (AdV) causes respiratory infection; recent observations suggest that some subtypes have more ability to develop fatal disease. AdV infection has been associated with co-infection with human bocavirus (HBoV). We analysed the frequency of AdV infection, its subtypes and the presence of co-infection with HBoV, as well the clinical characteristics of such co-infection in Mexican paediatric immunosuppressed (IP) and non-immunosuppressed patients (non-IP) diagnosed with pneumonia.

Parainfluenza virus type 1 induces epithelial IL-8 production via p38-MAPK signalling.

Human parainfluenza virus type 1 (HPIV-1) is the most common cause of croup in infants. The aim of this study was to describe molecular mechanisms associated with IL-8 production during HPIV-1 infection and the role of viral replication in MAPK synthesis and activation. An in vitro model of HPIV-1 infection in the HEp-2 and A549 cell lines was used; a kinetic-based ELISA for IL-8 detection was also used, phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was identified by Western blot analysis, and specific inhibitors for each kinase were used to identify which MAPK was involved.

In situ molecular identification of the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Neuraminidase in patients with severe and fatal infections during a pandemic in Mexico City.

Background: In April 2009, public health surveillance detected an increased number of influenza-like illnesses in Mexico City's hospitals. The etiological agent was subsequently determined to be a spread of a worldwide novel influenza A (H1N1) triple reassortant. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate that molecular detection of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 strains is possible in archival material such as paraffin-embedded lung samples.

Reducing occurrence and severity of pneumonia due to pandemic H1N1 2009 by early oseltamivir administration: a retrospective study in Mexico.

Background: Anti-viral treatment has been used to treat severe or progressive illness due to pandemic H1N1 2009. A main cause of severe illness in pandemic H1N1 2009 is viral pneumonia; however, it is unclear how effective antiviral treatment is against pneumonia when administered >48 hours after symptom onset. Therefore, we aimed to determine how time from symptom onset to antiviral administration affected the effectiveness of antiviral treatment against pneumonia due to pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Clinical comparison of two Mexican coccidioidins.

Coccidioidin, an extract from the saprophytic mycelial form of Coccidioides spp., has been a very useful antigen preparation both for skin and serological tests for coccidioidomycosis. Unfortunately, coccidioidin is not currently available for skin testing in the United States.

Modification of the cytoprotective protein C pathway during Dengue virus infection of human endothelial vascular cells.

Dengue fever (DF) is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease of humans. No safe vaccine is available, there is no experimental animal model and no specific treatment (antiviral) for Dengue virus (DV) infection exists. The pathogenic mechanisms of the severe forms of the disease, such as Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), in which endothelial damage is the pathognomonic sign, are not fully understood.

Crosstalk between coagulation and inflammation during Dengue virus infection.

Dengue fever is the most prevalent viral disease transmitted by vectors (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus) in worldwide. More than 100 million cases occur annually with a mortality rate of 5% and no safe vaccine is available. The pathogenesis of Dengue, where host and viral factors participate in the establishment of Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) remains unresolved.