Dynamics of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage during the course of viral bronchiolitis.

The effect of viral infection on nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae during childhood is not well known. We studied dynamics of pneumococcal colonization by quantitative PCR during the natural course of viral bronchiolitis. At time of admission, 47 (47%) of 100 patients with bronchiolitis carried pneumococci.

Computerized Assessment of Wheezing in Children With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis Before and After Hypertonic Saline Nebulization.

Background: Studies suggest an effect of nebulized hypertonic saline solution on air-flow limitation in subjects with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, but results are based on subjective scores of clinical severity and are not clear. In this observational study, we used a noninvasive computerized tool to quantify wheezing before and after nebulization with hypertonic saline in children admitted for RSV infection.

Methods: Twenty-seven children (≤ 24 months old) admitted to the pediatric ward of the Medical Center Leeuwarden with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed RSV bronchiolitis were included.

Symptoms and treatment of Dientamoeba fragilis infection in children, a retrospective study.

Introduction: Dientamoeba fragilis infection in children is common, and its incidence has increased since the introduction of more sensitive molecular techniques. There is no consensus on the optimal treatment. Current medical practice in the Netherlands is to treat symptomatic children with clioquinol or metronidazole.

Specific increase in local IL-17 production during recovery from primary RSV bronchiolitis.

Although Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the most important cause of hospital admission for infants during the winter season, the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) concentrations were studied in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 21 non-ventilated and 17 ventilated infants admitted to hospital with RSV bronchiolitis at time of admission and discharge from the hospital. On admission, nasopharyngeal concentrations of most cytokines and chemokines were lower in non-ventilated infants than in ventilated infants, reaching statistical significance for Eotaxin, IL-1α, and IL-6.

IL1RL1 gene variants and nasopharyngeal IL1RL-a levels are associated with severe RSV bronchiolitis: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: Targets for intervention are required for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, a common disease during infancy for which no effective treatment exists. Clinical and genetic studies indicate that IL1RL1 plays an important role in the development and exacerbations of asthma. Human IL1RL1 encodes three isoforms, including soluble IL1RL1-a, that can influence IL33 signalling by modifying inflammatory responses to epithelial damage.

Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis: prevention and treatment.

Background: Acute respiratory illness due to respiratory syncytial virus is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in very young children worldwide. The virus was discovered half a century ago, yet the underlying mechanisms of the disease are not fully understood and treatment remains supportive.

Methods: This review article discusses therapeutic and preventive strategies, past, present and future, in the battle against respiratory syncytial virus.