Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly infects the upper respiratory tract (URT) of humans, manifesting with mild cold or flu-like symptoms. However, in infants and elderly, severe disease lower (LRT) often occurs can develop into chronic airway disease. A better understanding how an acute RSV infection transitions to a LRT inflammatory is critically important improve patient care long-term...

The distinction between bacterial and viral causes of infections of the respiratory tract is a major but important clinical challenge. We investigated the diagnostic performance of human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) in respiratory tract infections compared to those of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). Patients were recruited from the emergency department and from a primary care un...

Background: Acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality especially in pediatric patients. Among important respiratory pathogens, adenovirus is a most prevalent cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of adenovirus infection in pediatric patients with respiratory sympt...

Many viruses invade mucosal surfaces to establish infection in the host. Some viruses are restricted to mucosal surfaces, whereas others disseminate to sites of secondary replication. Studies of strain-specific differences in reovirus mucosal infection and systemic dissemination have enhanced an understanding of viral determinants and molecular mechanisms that regulate viral pathogenesis. After...

Although liver function test abnormality is frequently noted in children, there is no report about the distribution of the etiology and natural recovery time of the abnormal liver function. From March 2005 to February 2014, clinical information was retrospectively collected from 559 children who had abnormal liver function and were hospitalized or visited the outpatient clinic at the Jeju Natio...

BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A viruses are known to cause severe acute respiratory tract infections (SARIs) in children. For other viruses like human rhinoviruses (HRVs) this is less well established. Viral or bacterial co-infections are often considered essential for severe manifestations of these virus infections. OBJECTIVE The study aims at identifying viruses...

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of lower respiratory tract disease in children and individuals with cell-mediated immunodeficiencies. Airway epithelial cells may be infected with RSV, but it is unknown whether other cells within the lung permit viral replication. We studied whether human alveolar macrophages supported RSV replication in vitro. Alveolar macrophages expos...