Alterations in Inflammatory, Antiviral and Regulatory Cytokine Responses in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Pregnant Women with Asthma.

Respirology. 2013 Feb 20;

Authors: Vanders RL, Gibson PG, Wark PA, Murphy VE

Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Severe asthma exacerbations during pregnancy are a common complication leading to poor health outcomes for both mother and baby. Asthma exacerbations are caused most frequently by respiratory viruses. A balance between antiviral and inflammatory immune responses is critical during pregnancy: the balance may be altered by asthma and respiratory virus infection. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from (1) non-pregnant healthy controls, (2) pregnant non-asthmatics, (3) postpartum non-asthmatics, (4) non-pregnant asthmatics (5) pregnant asthmatics, and (6) postpartum asthmatics. Cells were cultured in vitro with the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin or with a strain of the 2009 pandemic swine influenza. Interferon-γ, interleukin-10, and interleukin-17 protein were measured from culture supernatant. Neutrophil counts were obtained in samples from pregnant and postpartum women. RESULTS: Following phytohaemagglutinin stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, pregnant asthmatics had significantly higher IL17 and significantly lower IFNγ responses compared to healthy non-pregnant women. Following infection with influenza, a significant reduction was also observed in interferon-γ and interleukin-10 production from PBMCs of pregnant asthmatics. The interleukin-17 response to phytohaemagglutinin correlated with the neutrophil percentage. Differences in interferon-γ interleukin-10 and interleukin-17 were found to persist for at least 6 months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in anti-viral and regulatory immunity with increased inflammation during pregnancy occurs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant women with asthma. This novel information may relate to the increased susceptibility and disease severity to respiratory virus infections observed during pregnancy.

PMID: 23421904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Snoring and Sleep Disorders in Children with Hypertrophy of Lymphoid Tissue in the Throat.

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2013 Feb 16;

Authors: Dzieciolowska-Baran E, Dabrowski P, Gawlikowska-Sroka A, Poziomkowska-Gesicka I, Baran S

Abstract
Hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue within the throat in children leads to a number of respiratory problems and sleep disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the above-mentioned changes depending on the location of overgrown lymphoid tissue, BMI, and coexisting allergies. The study was based on a survey conducted in a group of 103 children aged 3-14 with a hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue requiring surgery. The questionnaire included questions about symptoms of sleep disordered breathing. In addition, BMI was calculated and the coexistence of other diseases in the group of examined children was taken into account. Pathological changes predominated in children aged 4-6. The incidence of snoring was the most common, observed in 87%, followed by apnea in 45% of the examined group. Co-occurrence of allergies was observed in 36% and excess of body weight in 21% of the children. Overweight was an essential factor that facilitated apneic sleep episodes accompanying lymphoid hyperplasia. Snoring and nasal obstruction were observed more often in allergic patients.

PMID: 23422250 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Influence of pollen level on hospitalizations for asthma.

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2013;68(2):66-71

Authors: Gonzalez-Barcala FJ, Aboal-Viñas J, Aira MJ, Regueira-Méndez C, Valdes-Cuadrado L, Carreira J, Garcia-Sanz MT, Takkouche B

Abstract
ABSTRACT The effect of pollen level on asthma hospitalizations is still under debate. The aim of this study was to analyze hospital admissions due to asthma and its relation with environmental pollen and meteorological factors. During 13 years, we included every patient admitted with asthma as primary or secondary diagnosis. For this purpose, we used a case-crossover analysis to compare pollen concentrations at the time of admission with values of the same variables 2 to 6 days before admission. We included 6,687 hospital admissions. High maximum temperature and low humidity were associated with lower risk of asthma admissions. High mean pollen levels exerted a moderate effect and high maximum pollen levels led to a dramatic increase of hospital admissions due to asthma, especially among females. In conclusion, environmental pollen level increases the risk of asthma hospital admissions.

PMID: 23428055 [PubMed - in process]

Respiratory tract infections during the annual Hajj: potential risks and mitigation strategies.

Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2013 Feb 20;

Authors: Al-Tawfiq JA, Zumla A, Memish ZA

Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mass gatherings such as religious pilgrimages, sporting events and music concerts are becoming larger and more frequent. The scale and frequency of large-scale international events pose substantial risks to the spread of infectious diseases. The available literature on respiratory tract infections at the Hajj pilgrimage - annually attended by 3 million pilgrims from all over the globe - are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: The most common respiratory tract infection viruses are influenza and rhinovirus. Despite the occurrence of the Hajj during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic the available literature did not show an increased rate of infection. In hospitalized patients, pneumonia is a significant cause of admission accounting for 20-50% of such admissions. SUMMARY: The use of masks may reduce exposure to droplet nuclei, the main mode of transmission of most respiratory tract infections. The practice of social distancing, hand hygiene, and contact avoidance was associated with reduced risk of respiratory illness. In addition, utilizing the recommended vaccines would decrease the risk of acquiring respiratory tract pathogens.

PMID: 23429098 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]