Author: Ali Razei

Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in the Treatment and Prophylaxis of Influenza Viruses

Background and aim: Influenza, commonly referred to as "the flu," is an infectious illness caused by influenza viruses (IV). Despite the availability of efficient antiviral drugs, the IV still significantly increases mortality. Antiviral drugs swiftly remove these viruses from pulmonary secretions, suggesting that a prolonged inflammatory response may be to blame for the poor result. Therefore, using immunomodulatory medications looks advantageous. Numerous anti-inflammatory effects are produced by statins. Numerous retrospective studies recommended that statins be considered for IV therapy. This study set out to comprehensively examine the immunomodulatory potential of statins in IV prophylaxis and therapy. Methods: From the beginning until 25 March 2022, a number of electronic databases (Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, OVID, EBSCO, and CINAHL) were searched for cohort studies and randomized trials assessing the association between outcomes or risk of infections and statin therapy. Data were gathered on the investigated characteristics, measuring statin usage, quality evaluation, and results (set for potential confounders). Results: Finding additional therapeutic agents for influenza prevention and management is crucial since there are uncertain public health issues regarding the clinical efficacy of conventional medications. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are released as a result of influenza. According to the results, by using antiinflammatory medications, severe influenza infections can be prevented along with pleiotropic effects. As a result, statins, which are cardioprotective medications with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, may be beneficial for individuals with IV. Conclusion: Based on the positive immunomodulatory effects of statin administration, our systematic review's findings suggested that IVs may be prevented and treated.

Monkeypox: Pathogenesis, Prevention, Threats, Challenges and Immune Response Against It

A rare zoonotic disease, monkeypox is brought on by the Monkeypox virus, which is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, Chordopoxvirinae subfamily, and Poxviridae family. Smallpox-like symptoms are brought on by the monkeypox disease, which is closely linked to the variola virus (smallpox virus). In the past, it has been demonstrated that smallpox vaccination with the vaccinia virus (another orthopoxvirus) is 85% protective against monkeypox. The two most likely forms of monkeypox transmission are animal-human transmission and human-human transmission. Transmission between people has been connected to respiratory droplets, coming into contact with bodily fluids, contaminated patient things or surroundings, and skin lesions on infected people. Numerous strategies or tactics have been developed by monkeypox to subvert or exacerbate the host's immune reaction to infection. A crucial element of innate immunity, natural killer [NK] cells employ cytokines to kill virus-infected cells and interfere with the operation of other cell types like T cells and dendritic cells. Studies have shown that the smallpox vaccine provides cross-protection against other Orthopoxvirus species, including monkeypox. This study was out to provide a thorough overview of the pathogenesis, prevention, risks, immune response problems, and analysis of possible concerns associated with the monkeypox virus.

Introducing two effective techniques for the detection of adenovirus respiratory infection in human sample

Recently, respiratory viral infections have witnessed substantial diagnostic evolution, with the advent of emergent pathogenic agents and the improvement of new diagnostic approaches. Acute viral respiratory infection (ARVI) commonly causes illness and fatality, particularly in pediatric patients. Adenovirus has the highest prevalence in upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) amongst respiratory pathogens of importance. The purpose of this research was to introduce two effective techniques for the detection of adenovirus respiratory infection in Human samples, cell culture, and real-time PCR. Samples from patients aged less than ten years were obtained from Baqiyatallah (as) Hospital and cultured on HEK cells after preparation. After observing the cytopathic effects of the virus, a molecular test (Real-time PCR) with the help of specific primers was done on samples taken from the cell culture. Both assays detected viruses in clinical samples, and results of cell culture and real-time PCR confirmed infection with adenovirus in samples. According to our findings, simultaneous use of tests (cell culture and PCR) based test real-time PCR is a somewhat reliable method for detecting adenovirus in clinical specimens.