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Prescribers' indications for drugs in childhood: a survey of five European countries (Spain, France, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Russia).

BACKGROUND: Indication-based, in comparison to diagnoses-based, drug utilization studies in children are scarce in the literature. AIM: To determine the adequacy of the prescriber's indications for specific drug treatments compared to the current literature in five different European countries; and to show the possibilities of performing indication-based drug utilization studies. DESIGN: a descriptive, cross-sectional, international study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomly selected sample of 12,264 paediatric outpatients seen in consultation rooms attended by paediatricians or general practitioners. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, and pharmacological treatment, with therapeutic indications for each drug, were collected in pre-designed forms. Diagnoses and indications were coded using the ICD-9 and drugs according to the ATC classifications. RESULTS: Indications were registered for every drug prescribed in all locations. Antibiotic indications considered incorrect (common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, viral infections, general symptoms or "not specified") accounted from 24.1% of the total antibiotics prescribed in Tenerife to 67.4% in Slovakia. Incorrect indication of first-choice antibiotics prescribed in acute otitis media and tonsillitis ranged from 28.9% of total antibiotics use in Russia to 75.4% in Tenerife. Correct antibiotic indications ranged from 23.4% of total antibiotics used in Slovakia to 65.7% in Tenerife. Aspirin use in febrile viral conditions was detected mainly in Toulouse and Russia. CONCLUSION: The main areas for improvement detected were high use of mucolytics, prescription of aspirin in potential or established viral infections, overuse of antibiotics and identification of specific patterns of incorrect antibiotic prescription and clinical entities associated with each location.

Adult↗

Plasma IgG, IgG subclasses and acute-phase proteins in children with recurrent acute otitis media.

Quantitation of IgG, IgG subclasses and acute-phase proteins was performed in plasma samples from 156 children, aged 2 to 162 months, with varying degrees of otitis proneness. None of the children had acute otitis media or had received any antibiotics 3 weeks before the examination. Children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) had significantly higher levels of total IgG, IgG1, and significantly lower levels of IgG2 than healthy children (p less than 0.02, p less than 0.0003, and p less than 0.03, respectively). However, the low levels of IgG2 found in the rAOM children could at least, to some extent, be explained by the observation that these children were somewhat younger than the healthy children. Except for recurrent episodes of common colds, children suffering from secretory otitis media (SOM) most often show no clinical signs of inflammatory events. Nevertheless, children with SOM had raised levels of plasma IgG1, indicating recurrent polyclonal stimulation of the immune apparatus, which seems to be less pronounced than that of rAOM children. Levels of acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin, orosomucoid and alpha 1-antitrypsin were evenly distributed in the children investigated, reflecting that they had no acute illness at the time of plasma sampling.

Acute Disease↗

Impact of Travel-Related Health Impairments.

Background: Few recent data exist on the impact of travel-related health problems. Methods: A cohort study was conducted with follow-up by questionnaire of 2567 persons who had consulted the Zurich University Travel Clinic for travel health advice prior to visiting a developing country or eastern Europe. Of those questioned, 2109 (82.2%) could be evaluated. Results: More than one-third (800; 37.9%) had a health impairment, mainly illness leading to medical consultations in 224 (10.6%) individuals. Incapacitation was reported by 303 (14.4%) travelers, accounting for 2% of the total time abroad. The most frequent reasons for incapacitation were diarrhea and the common cold, particularly when accompanied by fever. Some 57 (7.1%) travelers consulted a doctor while abroad, and more than twice as many did so after returning home. Conclusions: This survey illustrates that despite efforts of travel medicine, the attack rate of health impairments remains virtually unchanged compared to 20 years ago. It provides one of the first overviews of incapacitation in travelers. To reduce the duration of incapacitation, one may wish to consider a travel kit which allows the patient self therapy for frequent and uncomplicated ailments.

Journal Article↗

Transforming growth factor-beta expression induced by rhinovirus infection in respiratory epithelial cells.

Rhinovirus infection of the lower airways is now a recognized disease, associated with bronchiolitis and asthma. The bronchial epithelial cells are the host cells when rhinovirus infection occurs in the airway. It was hypothesized that a pro-fibrotic growth factor response may occur in these infected cells, leading to production of a key transforming growth factor, TGF-beta-1. Bronchial epithelial cells were inoculated with human rhinovirus and compared at day 1, 3 and 5 to control non-infected cells. Cell culture supernatant fluid and cellular RNA were isolated. The amount of released TGF-beta protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of TGF-beta at the level of transcription was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. The results show that at all time points studied, TGF-beta production is greater in the infected cells, as demonstrated by ELISA (P<0.05) and by semi-quantitative PCR analysis. It was concluded that bronchial epithelial cells infected with common cold virus and rhinovirus, showed higher levels of TGF-beta. The production of TGF-beta may be indicative of a normal repair mechanism to counter inflammation, or in the setting of persistent asthma, could potentially lead to increased fibrosis and collagen deposition.

Cells, Cultured↗

Menthol and related cooling compounds.

Menthol and related cooling compounds such as 'coolant agent 10', are widely used in products ranging from common cold medications to toothpastes, confectionery, cosmetics and pesticides. The review brings together a range of information on production and chemistry of menthol, and its metabolism, mechanism of action, structure-activity relationships, pharmacology and toxicology. In particular, the coolant action and carminative actions of menthol are discussed in terms of actions on calcium conductance in sensory nerves and smooth muscle. The actions of menthol on the nose, respiratory reflexes, oral cavity, skin and gastrointestinal tract are reviewed.

Animals↗

[A case of infective endocarditis (IE) improving with orally administered amoxicillin (AMPC)].

Progress in chemotherapy and cardiosurgery has remarkably decreased the mortality due to infective endocarditis (IE) in recent years. In chemotherapy for IE, parental administration of antibiotics has been used routinely, the patients suffer from the psychological and physiological burden due to frequent injections and long period of therapy, even though the therapy for IE is successful. In this report, we present a case of IE caused by S. mitis, which was remarkably improved by oral administration of AMPC. A case, 69. y.o. female. She felt like a common cold and visited a G.P. Cardiomegaly was pointed out and positive inflammatory findings in serological examination were found. A low grade fever continued, and she was admitted to the hospital. Blood cultures were positive for S. mitis. For further examination, she was transferred to the university hospital. Based on the extensive blood cultures and cardioechogram, she was diagnosed IE caused by S. mitis. Because there were no symptoms of heart failure, we decided to try oral administration of AMPC, 4 g/day or 6 g/day at an interval of 6 hours. On the second day of therapy, the blood culture turned to be negative for pathogens, and on the fourth day body temperature became normal. On about the 60th day, the CRP finding became negative. Concentrations in the serum of AMPC were more than 10 folds of AMPC-MIC (0.5 microgram/ml) for S. mitis. The patient, however, suffer from complications of lung embolism and was operated for exchange of heart valves. After surgery, she has been well without any symptoms from IE.

Administration, Oral↗

[A clinical study on five cases of respiratory infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis].

Five cases of the respiratory infections, in which Neisseria meningitidis was isolated upon the examination of the transtracheal aspiration (TTA), were reported. Patients studied were four males at the ages of 18, 56, 66 and 78 years, and a 18-year old female. Five cases were bronchopneumonia (two cases), acute bronchitis (two cases) and diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) (one case). Underlying diseases were as follows: lung cancer or acute myocardial infarction in cases of bronchopneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia or pulmonary tuberculosis in cases of acute bronchitis. There was a case in which only N. meningitidis was cultured from specimens obtained by TTA, although another different organism, in addition to N. meningitidis, was recovered from the patient of other cases. Other organisms found together with N. miningitidis were H. influenzae (2 cases), S. dysgalactiae (1 case) and M. tuberculosis (1 case). Predisposing factors were common cold in the female patient and bronchoscopic examination in the cases of lung cancer and of interstitial pneumonia. Two of the five cases occurred consecutively in the same room and so they were considered as nosocomial infections. With these findings, it can be posturated that N. meningitidis might be one of the etiological agents of the respiratory infections.

Acute Disease↗

[Tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in Japan: clinical features].

Clinical features of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) were analyzed, based on 416 cases reported in Japan in 1998. Three major clinical symptoms: eschar, fever and rash were found in 87%, 98% and 92% of the cases, respectively. Elevated levels of CRP, GOT, GPT and LDH were observed in 96%, 85%, 78% and 91%, respectively. These clinical and laboratory findings were observed in the majority of the cases and considered important for diagnosis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in 21 cases, indicating that scrub typhus can be life threatening. Lymphadenopathy was observed in 51% of the cases. Enlarged lymph nodes were limited to the local sites in 75% of these lymphadenopathy cases and most of these sites were adjacent to eschars. Most eschars were scabbed and located in the abdomen and the lower half of the body, especially the feet. This suggests that these parts are frequently exposed to tsutsugamushi mites. Furthermore, the skin is soft in these parts and covered by cloth. These factors may make it possible for mites to keep biting without being noticed for several hours, long enough for rickettsial transmission. Interestingly, eschar and rash were absent in 14% and 8% of the cases, respectively. This result suggests that the cases without the unique symptoms may have been misdiagnosed as common cold or other febrile illnesses. One hundred and fifty-four suspected cases were not scrub typhus cases by the serological tests. The three major clinical symptoms were present in approximately a half of these negative cases, eschar being observed in approximately 70%. This may suggest the presence of new type of scrub typhus can not be diagnosed by the present laboratory tests. Clinical features of scrub typhus in Japan were well revealed, and information obtained in the present study is useful for improving clinical diagnosis. It should, however, be stressed that there were cases that could not be correctly diagnosed only by the clinical symptoms, suggesting that it is important to improve the serological tests.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

The site of attachment in human rhinovirus 14 for antiviral agents that inhibit uncoating.

WIN 51711 and WIN 52084 are structurally related, antiviral compounds that inhibit the replication of rhino (common cold) viruses and related picornaviruses. They prevent the pH-mediated uncoating of the viral RNA. The compounds consist of a 3-methylisoxazole group that inserts itself into the hydrophobic interior of the VP1 beta-barrel, a connecting seven-membered aliphatic chain, and a 4-oxazolinylphenoxy group (OP) that covers the entrance to an ion channel in the floor of the "canyon." Viral disassembly may be inhibited by preventing the collapse of the VP1 hydrophobic pocket or by blocking the flow of ions into the virus interior.

Antiviral Agents↗

Effects of the Chinese traditional medicine mao-bushi-saishin-to on therapeutic efficacy of a new benzoxazinorifamycin, KRM-1648, against Mycobacterium avium infection in mice.

The Chinese traditional medicine mao-bushi-saishin-to (MBST), which has anti-inflammatory effects and has been used to treat the common cold and nasal allergy in Japan, was examined for its effects on the therapeutic activity of a new benzoxazinorifamycin, KRM-1648 (KRM), against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in mice. In addition, we examined the effects of MBST on the anti-MAC activity of murine peritoneal macrophages (M phi s). First, MBST significantly increased the anti-MAC therapeutic activity of KRM when given to mice in combination with KRM, although MBST alone did not exhibit such effects. Second, MBST treatment of M phi s significantly enhanced the KRM-mediated killing of MAC bacteria residing in M phi s, although MBST alone did not potentiate the M phi anti-MAC activity. MBST-treated M phi s showed decreased levels of reactive nitrogen intermediate (RNI) release, suggesting that RNIs are not decisive in the expression of the anti-MAC activity of such M phi populations. MBST partially blocked the interleukin-10 (IL-10) production of MAC-infected M phi s without affecting their transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-producing activity. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis of the lung tissues of MAC-infected mice at weeks 4 and 8 after infection revealed a marked increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), IL-10, and TGF-beta mRNAs. KRM treatment of infected mice tended to decrease the levels of the test cytokine mRNAs, except that it increased TGF-beta mRNA expression at week 4. MBST treatment did not affect the levels of any cytokine mRNAs at week 8, while it down-regulated cytokine mRNA expression at week 4. At week 8, treatment of mice with a combination of KRM and MBST caused a marked decrease in the levels of the test cytokines mRNAs, especially IL-10 and IFN-gamma mRNAs, although such effects were obscure at week 4. These findings suggest that down-regulation of the expression of IL-10 and TGF-beta is related to the combined therapeutic effects of KRM and MBST against MAC infection.

Animals↗

Prevention of human rhinovirus infection by multivalent fab molecules directed against ICAM-1.

We have developed a technology for improving avidity by making bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent recombinant polypeptides. We designed tripartite proteins consisting of the Fab fragment of an antibody fused with a hinge derived from human immunoglobulin D that was further linked to polymerization domains derived from human coiled-coil proteins. We report here on the application of this method with a Fab domain directed against the major human rhinovirus receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Multivalent anti-ICAM-1 molecules were produced in bacteria and purified as soluble preassembled homogeneous proteins at high yield. These proteins successfully blocked rhinovirus infection in vitro, with the efficiency increasing from monomer to dimer, trimer, and tetramer. The diminished dissociation rate of these multivalent antibodies and their improved efficacy in preventing rhinovirus infection provide a foundation for producing prophylactic and therapeutic molecules against human rhinovirus, the causative agent of the majority of common colds.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Association of rhinovirus infections with asthma.

Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of the common cold, but they can cause more severe illnesses in people with underlying lung disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cystic fibrosis. Epidemiologic studies with sensitive detection methods such as PCR have identified rhinovirus infection as a major source of asthma exacerbations in both children and adults, especially during the spring and fall. Since rhinoviruses cause little tissue destruction, it is presumed that the immune response to the infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus-induced exacerbations of asthma. This review examines the epidemiologic association between rhinovirus infections and exacerbations of asthma and outlines current information on immune responses to rhinovirus infection and potential connections between antiviral responses and preexisting allergic inflammation. Finally, current and future strategies for treating rhinovirus infections and virus-induced exacerbations of asthma are discussed.

Animals↗

Rhinovirus activates interleukin-8 expression via a Src/p110beta phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Rhinovirus (RV) is responsible for the majority of common colds and triggers exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. We have shown that RV serotype 39 (RV39) infection activates phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI 3)-kinase and the serine threonine kinase Akt minutes after infection and that the activation of PI 3-kinase and Akt is required for maximal interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. Here, we further examine the contributions of Src and PI 3-kinase activation to RV-induced Akt activation and IL-8 expression. Confocal fluorescent microscopy of 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cells showed rapid (10-min) colocalization of RV39 with Src, p85alpha PI 3-kinase, p110beta PI 3-kinase, Akt and Cit-Akt-PH, a fluorescent Akt pleckstrin homology domain which binds PI(3,4,5)P(3). The chemical Src inhibitor PP2 {4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine} and the PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 each inhibited Akt phosphorylation and the colocalization of RV39 with Akt. Digoxigenin-tagged RV coprecipitated with a Crosstide kinase likely to be Akt, and inhibition of Src blocked kinase activity. Digoxigenin-tagged RV39 colocalized with the lipid raft marker ceramide. In 16HBE14o- and primary mucociliary differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells, inhibition of Src kinase activity with the Src family chemical inhibitor PP2, dominant-negative Src (K297R), and Src small interfering RNA (siRNA) each inhibited RV39-induced IL-8 expression. siRNA against p110beta PI 3-kinase also inhibited IL-8 expression. These data demonstrate that, in the context of RV infection, Src and p110beta PI 3-kinase are upstream activators of Akt and the IL-8 promoter and that RV colocalizes with Src, PI 3-kinase, and Akt in lipid rafts.

Bronchi↗

Two groups of rhinoviruses revealed by a panel of antiviral compounds present sequence divergence and differential pathogenicity.

A variety of chemically different compounds inhibit the replication of several serotypes of rhinoviruses (common-cold viruses). We noticed that one of these antiviral compounds, WIN 51711, had an antiviral spectrum clearly distinctive from a consensus spectrum or other capsid-binding compounds, although all of them were shown to share the same binding site. A systematic evaluation of all known rhinovirus capsid-binding compounds against all serotyped rhinoviruses was therefore initiated. Multivariate analysis of the results revealed the existence of two groups of rhinoviruses, which we will call antiviral groups A and B. The differential sensitivity of members of these groups to antiviral compounds suggests the existence of a dimorphic binding site. The antiviral groups turned out to be a reflection of a divergence of rhinovirus serotypes on a much broader level. Similarities in antiviral spectra were highly correlated with sequence similarities, not only of amino acids lining the antiviral compound-binding-site, but also of amino acids of the whole VP1 protein. Furthermore, analysis of epidemiological data indicated that group B rhinoviruses produced more than twice as many clinical infections per serotype than group A rhinoviruses did. Rhinoviruses belonging to the minor receptor group were without exception all computed to lie in the same region of antiviral group B.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Very-low-density lipoprotein receptor fragment shed from HeLa cells inhibits human rhinovirus infection.

The large family of human rhinoviruses, the main causative agents of the common cold, is divided into the major and the minor group based on receptor specificity. Major group viruses attach to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, whereas minor group viruses use low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) for cell entry. During early attempts aimed at isolating the minor group receptor, we discovered that a protein with virus binding activity was released from HeLa cells upon incubation with buffer at 37 degreesC (F. Hofer, B. Berger, M. Gruenberger, H. Machat, R. Dernick, U. Tessmer, E. Kuechler, and D. Blaas, J. Gen. Virol. 73:627-632, 1992). In light of the recent discovery of several new members of the LDLR family, we reinvestigated the nature of this protein and present evidence for its being derived from the human very-low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR). A soluble VLDLR fragment encompassing the eight complement type repeats and representing the N-terminal part of the receptor was then expressed in the baculovirus system; both the shed protein and the recombinant soluble VLDLR bind minor group viruses and inhibit viral infection of HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Animals↗

Persistent infection of human oligodendrocytic and neuroglial cell lines by human coronavirus 229E.

Human coronaviruses (HuCV) cause common colds. Previous reports suggest that these infectious agents may be neurotropic in humans, as they are for some mammals. With the long-term aim of providing experimental evidence for the neurotropism of HuCV and the establishment of persistent infections in the nervous system, we have evaluated the susceptibility of various human neural cell lines to acute and persistent infection by HuCV-229E. Viral antigen, infectious virus progeny and viral RNA were monitored during both acute and persistent infections. The astrocytoma cell lines U-87 MG, U-373 MG, and GL-15, as well as neuroblastoma SK-N-SH, neuroglioma H4, and oligodendrocytic MO3.13 cell lines, were all susceptible to an acute infection by HuCV-229E. The CHME-5 immortalized fetal microglial cell line was not susceptible to infection by this virus. The MO3.13 and H4 cell lines also sustained a persistent viral infection, as monitored by detection of viral antigen and infectious virus progeny. Sequencing of the S1 gene from viral RNA after approximately 130 days of infection showed two point mutations, suggesting amino acid changes during persistent infection of MO3.13 cells but none for H4 cells. Thus, persistent in vitro infection did not generate important changes in the S1 portion of the viral spike protein, which was shown for murine coronaviruses to bear hypervariable domains and to interact with cellular receptor. These results are consistent with the potential persistence of HuCV-229E in cells of the human nervous system, such as oligodendrocytes and possibly neurons, and the virus's apparent genomic stability.

Astrocytoma↗

Neuroinvasion by human respiratory coronaviruses.

Human coronaviruses (HCoV) cause common colds but can also infect neural cell cultures. To provide definitive experimental evidence for the neurotropism and neuroinvasion of HCoV and its possible association with multiple sclerosis (MS), we have performed an extensive search and characterization of HCoV RNA in a large panel of human brain autopsy samples. Very stringent reverse transcription-PCR with two primer pairs for both viral strains (229E and OC43), combined with Southern hybridization, was performed on samples from 90 coded donors with various neurological diseases (39 with MS and 26 with other neurological diseases) or normal controls (25 patients). We report that 44% (40 of 90) of donors were positive for 229E and that 23% (21 of 90) were positive for OC43. A statistically significant higher prevalence of OC43 in MS patients (35.9%; 14 of 39) than in controls (13.7%; 7 of 51) was observed. Sequencing of nucleocapsid protein (N) gene amplicons revealed point mutations in OC43, some consistently found in three MS patient brains and one normal control but never observed in laboratory viruses. In situ hybridization confirmed the presence of viral RNA in brain parenchyma, outside blood vessels. The presence of HCoV in human brains is consistent with neuroinvasion by these respiratory pathogens. Further studies are needed to distinguish between opportunistic and disease-associated viral presence in human brains.

Brain↗

Viral evolution toward change in receptor usage: adaptation of a major group human rhinovirus to grow in ICAM-1-negative cells.

Major receptor group common cold virus HRV89 was adapted to grow in HEp-2 cells, which are permissive for minor group human rhinoviruses (HRVs) but which only marginally support growth of major-group viruses. After 32 blind passages in these cells, each alternating with boosts of the recovered virus in HeLa cells, HRV89 acquired the capacity to effectively replicate in HEp-2 cells, attaining virus titers comparable to those in HeLa cells although no cytopathic effect was observed. Several clones were isolated and shown to replicate in HeLa cells whose ICAM-1 was blocked with monoclonal antibody R6.5 and in COS-7 cells, which are devoid of ICAM-1. Blocking experiments with recombinant very-low-density lipoprotein receptor fragments and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays indicated that the mutants bound a receptor different from that used by minor-group viruses. Determination of the genomic RNA sequence encoding the capsid protein region revealed no changes in amino acid residues at positions equivalent to those involved in the interaction of HRV14 or HRV16 with ICAM-1. One mutation was within the footprint of a very-low-density lipoprotein receptor fragment bound to minor-group virus HRV2. Since ICAM-1 not only functions as a vehicle for cell entry but has also a "catalytic" function in uncoating, the use of other receptors must have important consequences for the entry pathway and demonstrates the plasticity of these viruses.

Evolution, Molecular↗