A molecular perspective for the development of antibodies against the human respiratory syncytial virus.

The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading etiologic agent causing respiratory infections in infants, children, older adults, and patients with comorbidities. Sixty-seven years have passed since the discovery of hRSV, and only a few successful mitigation or treatment tools have been developed against this virus. One of these is immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies against structural proteins of the virus, such as Palivizumab, the first prophylactic approach approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA.

Current and emerging pharmacological treatments for respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk infants.

Introduction: The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading cause of respiratory infections in children, older adults, and patients with comorbidities. Since the hRSV discovery, multiple efforts have been made to generate therapies that control the devastating effects on the population at risk in winter.

Areas Covered: This article describes the development of different drugs and treatments approved for use in the risk-population against hRSV infection.

Neurotrophin Signaling Impairment by Viral Infections in the Central Nervous System.

Neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), NT-4, and NT-5, are proteins involved in several important functions of the central nervous system. The activation of the signaling pathways of these neurotrophins, or even by their immature form, pro-neurotrophins, starts with their recognition by cellular receptors, such as tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) and 75 kD NT receptors (p75NTR). The Trk receptor is considered to have a high affinity for attachment to specific neurotrophins, while the p75NTR receptor has less affinity for attachment with neurotrophins.

The method used to sample ulcers influences the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Before beginning treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis, parasitological confirmation of the disease is required. The most commonly used diagnostic procedures are microscopy and culture of samples taken from the active edge of the lesion. In this study, we compared the sensitivity of previous diagnostic procedures with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using smears taken from the edge of the lesion and its centre.