The Novel A-Type Proanthocyanidin-Rich Phytocomplex SP4™ Acts as a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agent against Human Respiratory Viruses.

The appearance of new respiratory virus infections in humans with epidemic or pandemic potential has underscored the urgent need for effective broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs). Bioactive compounds derived from plants may provide a natural source of new BSA candidates. Here, we investigated the novel phytocomplex formulation SP4™ as a candidate direct-acting BSA against major current human respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses and influenza viruses.

Mechanisms of antiviral activity of the new hDHODH inhibitor MEDS433 against respiratory syncytial virus replication.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute lower respiratory infections, for which no effective drugs are currently available. The development of new effective anti-RSV agents is therefore an urgent priority, and Host-Targeting Antivirals (HTAs) can be considered to target RSV infections. As a contribution to this antiviral avenue, we have characterized the molecular mechanisms of the anti-RSV activity of MEDS433, a new inhibitor of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH), a key cellular enzyme of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis.

Discovery of a Novel Trifluoromethyl Diazirine Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 M.

SARS-CoV-2 M is a chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease playing a relevant role during the replication and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. The binding site of M is characterized by the presence of a catalytic Cys145 which carries out the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme. As a consequence, several M inhibitors have been proposed to date in order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Novel DHODH Inhibitor MEDS433 Prevents Influenza Virus Replication by Blocking Pyrimidine Biosynthesis.

The pharmacological management of influenza virus (IV) infections still poses a series of challenges due to the limited anti-IV drug arsenal. Therefore, the development of new anti-influenza agents effective against antigenically different IVs is therefore an urgent priority. To meet this need, host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) can be evaluated as an alternative or complementary approach to current direct-acting agents (DAAs) for the therapy of IV infections.

The New Generation DHODH Inhibitor MEDS433 Hinders the In Vitro Replication of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Human Coronaviruses.

Although coronaviruses (CoVs) have long been predicted to cause zoonotic diseases and pandemics with high probability, the lack of effective anti-pan-CoVs drugs rapidly usable against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 actually prevented a promptly therapeutic intervention for COVID-19. Development of host-targeting antivirals could be an alternative strategy for the control of emerging CoVs infections, as they could be quickly repositioned from one pandemic event to another. To contribute to these pandemic preparedness efforts, here we report on the broad-spectrum CoVs antiviral activity of MEDS433, a new inhibitor of the human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a key cellular enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway.

Effective deploying of a novel DHODH inhibitor against herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 replication.

Emergence of drug resistance and adverse effects often affect the efficacy of nucleoside analogues in the therapy of Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infections. Host-targeting antivirals could therefore be considered as an alternative or complementary strategy in the management of HSV infections. To contribute to this advancement, here we report on the ability of a new generation inhibitor of a key cellular enzyme of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), to inhibit HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro replication, with a potency comparable to that of the reference drug acyclovir.

Dengue in hospitalized children with sickle cell disease: A retrospective cohort study in the French departments of America.

Background: To describe the characteristics of dengue in sickle cell children and try to identify risk factors of severity.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we describe the evolution according to genotype (SS or SC and controls) and severity.

Results And Conclusions: From 2005 to 2013, 106 hospitalizations for dengue fever were recorded, 35 SS genotype, 35 SC and 36 without SCD or any other chronic disease.

[Hemihypertrophy and scoliosis revealing a Chiari 1 malformation with syringomyelia].

We report the case of a 9-year-old boy with progressive thoracic scoliosis and crossed hemihypertrophy who was discovered with a Chiari 1 malformation and syringomyelia. These disorders are connected by complex physiopathological mechanisms; their association deserves attention. This observation reviews the importance of the clinical examination, particularly the neurological exam, in childhood scoliosis.

[Kwashiorkor after an exclusion diet for eczema].

Background: Nutritional disorders observed in children with eczema may be aggravated by inappropriate diet, sometimes with dramatic effects.

Case Report: A child aged 3 years 7 months presented a state of severe malnutrition with edema (kwashiorkor). The child had chronic eczema and had been given a highly restrictive diet based on a principle of exclusion without medical advise.

Prenatal transmission of dengue: two new cases.

Dengue is commonly observed in most tropical countries, but its transmission from mother to fetus has not been frequently described. We report two such cases. The first signs of dengue in the infants appeared on the 3rd and 9th days of life.

[Therapeutics of the future for allergy].

Future improvement in the therapeutic arsenal in allergy must in part be by improvement of the existing, by the development of new molecules that are more powerful and more selective amongst the antiH1, chromones, Beta-2 mimetics, corticoids as well as the development of new routes of already-know products. Specific Immunotherapy (ITS) will undoubtedly benefit from progress in geni-genetics, from improvement in adjuvants and development of new routes of administration. Control of the environment will assist industry for the manufacture of anti mite bedding and household materials.

Congenital heart disease diagnosed in Guadeloupe.

An epidemiologic survey of congenital heart disease was performed in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, during the 3-year period 1988-1990. This survey, the first on congenital heart disease from the Caribbean, found an overall rate of 6.08 congenital heart disease cases per 1,000 live births, a high rate of hypoplastic left heart disease, and a rate of coarctation of the aorta similar to rates reported in developed countries.

[Leprosy in Guadeloupe 1980-1990: development and management in the general hospital].

27 leprosy patients (19 adults, 8 children) from Basse Terre (Guadeloupe, FWI) were referred to General Hospital from 1975 to 1989: for diagnostic purpose in half the cases, for starting or modifying treatment regimens, or for complications (ENL). Lepromatous type was predominant (16/27), whereas ENL was the most serious diagnosis and therapeutic problem (7/27). Some epidemiological and psycho-social aspects are discussed.

[Infantile acropustolosis: unusual manifestation of scabies in the infant?].

Three pediatric cases of vesiculopustules persisting for several months or years after eradication of Sarcoptes scabiei are reported. This particular course of scabies in infants is underrecognized although probably common. Its clinical manifestations, natural history and histologic features are identical to those seen in infantile acropustulosis, a recently individualized syndrome whose pathogenesis is unelucidated.

[Follow-up of HIV-I seropositive children at the Saint-Hyacinthe Hospital in Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe)].

Between 1985 and 1989, we have followed twenty (20) newly born babies whose mothers were HIV seropositive. Eight of them were contaminated. Two of them died.

[Marshall syndrome. 2 new cases].

Two new familial cases of Marshall syndrome are reported. The main features of this rare syndrome are outlined. Its possible relationship with Stickler syndrome is discussed.

[8 cases of diphtheria observed in Guadeloupe from 1979 to 1984].

From 1979 to 1984, 8 cases of diphtheria were diagnosed in Basse-Terre, in children aged 11 months to 6 years. All of them were badly or not vaccinated at all. They showed the common clinical features; two patients had only pharyngitis.

[Brain abscess in the neonatal period].

Cerebral abscess is considered as a rare lesion with severe prognosis in neonates. The present means of cerebral imaging allow for a better estimation of its frequency, a more precise diagnosis of the evolutive stage and the estimation of the efficacy of the treatments. Incision-drainage associated with antibiotic treatment was successful in children.

[Acute poisonings in children in Guadeloupe. 10 years' activity at a general pediatric service].

The authors have studied all the files concerning intoxications admitted in their department throughout ten years. They stress on the epidemiologic aspects particular to this tropical country, in order to plan a program for preventing children intoxications and accidents.