Cytokine Signatures and Immune Dysregulation in COVID-19 Patients: Transcriptomic and Serum Analysis.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has caused a global health crisis, necessitating a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology. In this study, we explored the immune and hematological dynamics in COVID-19 patients to gain insights into disease severity and prognosis. Our findings revealed distinct cytokine profiles in moderate and severe cases. IL12A was significantly upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from moderate cases, suggesting a potential role in initiating an effective immune response. Conversely, severe cases exhibited downregulation of key pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL23A, TNFalpha, IL1B, and IFNG) alongside an upregulation of the immunosuppressive IL10, indicative of a dysregulated immune environment. Serum analysis showed elevated IL6 and IL10 levels in both moderate and severe cases, emphasizing their potential as markers for disease severity. Notably, no significant differences in serum cytokines were found between recovery and lethal cases. In lethal cases of COVID-19, elevated D-dimer, urea, and creatinine correlated with IL6 and IL10. This study contributes valuable information to the ongoing efforts to understand and manage the dysregulated immune responses underlying COVID-19 pathology.

Lupus progression deteriorates oogenesis quality in MRL/lpr mice.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the activation of the immune response against self antigens. Numerous reproductive complications, including reduced birth rate and complications for the mother and the fetus during pregnancy, have been observed in women with SLE. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of SLE development on oocyte meiosis in lupus-prone mice. Lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice were used for the experiments: disease-free (4 weeks of age) and sick (20 weeks of age, virgin and postpartum). The immune response was monitored by flow cytometry, ELISpot, ELISA, and histology. Oocytes were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy based on chromatin, tubulin, and actin structures. The lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice developed age-dependent symptoms of SLE with increased levels of various autoantibodies, proteinuria, and renal infiltrates and a tendency for the immune response to worsen with changes in cell populations and the cytokine profile. The number and quality of oocytes were also affected, and the successful pregnancy rate of MRL/lpr mice was limited to only 60%. Isolated oocytes showed severe structural changes in all studied groups. Systemic alterations in immune homeostasis in SLE affect the quality of developing oocytes, which is evident from a young age. The data obtained is in line with the trend of reduced fertility in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. The phenomenon can be explained by changes in the microenvironment of the relevant organs and close connection between ovulation and inflammatory processes.

Immunotherapeutic Potential of Mollusk Hemocyanins in Murine Model of Melanoma.

The development of antitumor drugs and therapy requires new approaches and molecules, and products of natural origin provide intriguing alternatives for antitumor research. Gastropodan hemocyanins-multimeric copper-containing glycoproteins have been used in therapeutic vaccines and antitumor agents in many cancer models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established a murine model of melanoma by challenging C57BL/6 mice with a B16F10 cell line for solid tumor formation in experimental animals. The anticancer properties of hemocyanins isolated from the marine snail Rapana thomasiana (RtH) and the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa (HaH) were evaluated in this melanoma model using various schemes of therapy. Flow cytometry, ELISA, proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays, as well as histology investigations, were also performed. RESULTS: Beneficial effects on tumor growth, tumor incidence, and survival of tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice after administration of the RtH or HaH were observed. The generation of high titers of melanoma-specific IgM antibodies, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and tumor-specific CTLs, and high levels of tumor-infiltrated M1 macrophages enhanced the immune reaction and tumor suppression. DISCUSSION: Both RtH and HaH exhibited promising properties for applications as antitumor therapeutic agents and future experiments with humans.

Methyl-supplemented nutrition delays the development of autoimmune disease in pristane-induced murine lupus.

The aetiology and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) resulted from a complex sequence of events generated both from genetic and epigenetic processes. In the current research, the effect of methyl-supplemented nutrition on the development of SLE was studied in the pristane-induced mouse model of the disease. The results clearly demonstrated decreased anti-dsDNA antibody and proteinuria levels, modulation of cytokines and protected renal structures in the group of treated mice. An additional increase in the DNA methylation of mouse B lymphocytes was also observed. The beneficial effect of the diet is due to the methyl-containing micronutrients with possible anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects on cell proliferation and gene expression. Since these components are responsible for maintaining the physiological methylation level of DNA, the results point to the central role of methylation processes in environmentally triggered lupus. As nutrition represents one of the major epigenetic factors, these micronutrients may be considered novel agents with significant therapeutic outcomes.

DNA and protein-generated chimeric molecules for delivery of influenza viral epitopes in mouse and humanized NSG transfer models.

Purified subunit viral antigens are weakly immunogenic and stimulate only the antibody but not the T cell-mediated immune response. An alternative approach to inducing protective immunity with small viral peptides may be the targeting of viral epitopes to immunocompetent cells by DNA and protein-engineered vaccines. This review will focus on DNA and protein-generated chimeric molecules carrying engineered fragments specific for activating cell surface co-receptors for inducing protective antiviral immunity. Adjuvanted protein-based vaccine or DNA constructs encoding simultaneously T- and B-cell peptide epitopes from influenza viral hemagglutinin, and scFvs specific for costimulatory immune cell receptors may induce a significant increase of anti-influenza antibody levels and strong CTL activity against virus-infected cells in a manner that mimics the natural infection. Here we summarize the development of several DNA and protein chimeric constructs carrying influenza virus HA317-41 fragment. The generated engineered molecules were used for immunization in intact murine and experimentally humanized NSG mouse models.

Exploring the Role of CD74 and D-Dopachrome Tautomerase in COVID-19: Insights from Transcriptomic and Serum Analyses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant threat to public health worldwide. While some patients experience only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, others develop severe illness, which can lead to death. The host immune response is believed to play a crucial role in determining disease severity. In this study, we investigated the involvement of CD74 and D-DT in COVID-19 patients with different disease severities, by employing an in silico analysis of a publicly available transcriptomic dataset and by measuring their serum levels by ELISA. Our results showed a significant increase in MIF levels in PBMCs from COVID-19 patients, as well as a significant increase in the D-DT levels in PBMCs. However, we observed no modulation in the serum levels of D-DT. We also observed a concordant reduction in the serum levels and PBMCs expression levels of CD74. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between CD74 serum levels and IL-13. In conclusion, our study sheds light on the involvement of CD74 and D-DT in COVID-19, with potential implications for disease severity and treatment. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying these observations and to explore the potential therapeutic value of targeting CD74 and IL-13 in COVID-19.

Crocus sativus Extract as a Biological Agent for Disease-Modifying Therapy of Collagenase-Induced Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related joint disease that involves the degeneration of cartilage and is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting a large part of the population. OA is a multifactorial disorder, and no single etiological mechanism has been found to be common to all forms of the disease. Currently used therapies for control of the disease are mainly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid medications. The aim of this study was to investigate the extract from Crocus sativus as a biological disease-suppressing therapy agent. METHODS: Balb/c mice were injected intra-articularly with Clostridium histolyticum type IA for induction of osteoarthritis. The mice were randomized to five groups: control group, I group (CIOA untreated), II group (CIOA + 100 mg/kg/daily saffron), III group (CIOA + 50 mg/kg/daily saffron), IV group (CIOA + 25 mg/kg/daily saffron). Flow-cytometry analysis was used to study the splenocytes' phenotype isolated from the treated animals. The serum levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed with ELISA. The histological assessment was used to analyze the saffron extract effect on histopathological alterations. RESULTS: Saffron treatment significantly decreased osteoarthritis-associated joint histological manifestations and decreased serum TNFα levels. The flow-cytometry analysis showed a decrease in pro-inflammatory immune cell subtypes in the spleen. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained suggest that saffron affected the disease progression and could be a potential therapeutic approach in osteoarthritic patients' therapy.

Targeted suppression of Dpt-specific B cells in humanized Rag2- γc- mouse model of HDM allergy.

Der p 1 is one of the major allergenic molecules of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, causing house dust mite (HDM) allergy. The pathological B cells produce allergen-specific IgE antibodies that mediate the hypersensitivity reaction, therefore the selective elimination of these B cells is a legitimate therapeutic goal in allergy. Chimeric molecule Dp51-72 able to cross-link B cell inhibitory complement receptor type 1 and BCR on Der p 1-specific B cells was constructed. The signalling capabilities of this molecule have been tested on human B cells. A humanized mouse model of HDM allergy has been used to test the in vivo effects of the chimeric molecule administration. Administering the chimeric molecule to immunodeficient Rag2- γc- mice transferred with PBMCs from allergic patients resulted in reduction of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the sera, and reduced infiltration of immune cells in lung histology preparations. Reduced numbers of human CD45+ and CD4+ cells in the lungs as well as inhibition of mast cell degranulation were also observed. The treatment with Dp51-72 chimera significantly decreased the local levels of anti-Dpt IgE antibodies in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The binding of the chimeric molecule to tonsillar B cells triggers the tyrosine phosphorylation of 30-32 kDa protein, which is most likely involved in the inhibitory process. Administration of constructed chimeric molecules to humanized mice with developed inflammation resulted in specific suppression of disease-associated IgE antibody-producing cells and preserved lung histology. This effective approach could be further developed into a therapeutic agent for treatment of patients with HDM allergy.

Impact of folic acid on regulatory B lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic modifications of genomes are of particular interest as numerous studies indicate the correlation between DNA methylation and the development of systemic lupus. As a major methyl group donor, folic acid is an important participant in this process. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of low or high dose folate co-culturing with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the secretion of interleukin (IL)10 from regulatory cells from lupus patients or from healthy volunteers. METHODS: PBMCs from lupus patients and healthy volunteers were isolated and separated CD19+ B cell populations were cultured in the presence of 4 µg/mL or of 16 µg/mL of folic acid and the DNA methylation level as well as the percentages of B lymphocytes were measured. In another experiment, PBMCs were stimulated in vitro for IL10 production with 1 µg/mL recombinant human CD40L and with 2.5 µg/mL unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and cultured in the presence of 4 µg/mL or of 16 µg/mL of folic acid. RESULTS: Although co-culturing with low or high folic acid concentrations had no effect on the methylation level of B lymphocytes, particular patients showed an increase in the population of CD19+ IL10+ as well as of CD19- IL10+ cells. CONCLUSION: The observed increase may be a consequence of additional indirect or direct methylation of DNA in specific loci of the targeted cells. However, further analysis would clarify the exact mechanism of action of folate and would reveal its immunomodulating potential in this autoimmune disease.

Selective Silencing of Disease-Associated B Lymphocytes from Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Patients by Chimeric Protein Molecules.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting up to 20% of the adult population. No treatment or prevention exists except hormonal substitution for hypothyroidism. We hypothesize that it may be possible to selectively suppress anti-thyroglobulin (Tg) IgG antibody-producing B lymphocytes from HT patients by a chimeric protein molecule containing a monoclonal antibody specific for the human inhibitory receptor CR1, coupled to peptide epitopes derived from Tg protein. We expect that this treatment will down-regulate B-cell autoreactivity by delivering a strong inhibitory signal. Three peptides-two epitope-predicted ones derived from Tg and another irrelevant peptide-were synthesized and then coupled with monoclonal anti-human CR1 antibody to construct three chimeric molecules. The binding to CD35 on human B cells and the effects of the chimeric constructs on PBMC and TMC from patients with HT were tested using flow cytometry, ELISpot assay, and immunoenzyme methods. We found that after the chemical conjugation, all chimeras retained their receptor-binding capacity, and the Tg epitopes could be recognized by anti-Tg autoantibodies in the patients' sera. This treatment downregulated B-cell autoreactivity and cell proliferation, inhibited Tg-specific B-cell differentiation to plasmablasts and promoted apoptosis to the targeted cells. The treatment of PBMCs from HT patients with Tg-epitope-carrying chimeric molecules affects the activity of Tg-specific autoreactive B lymphocytes, delivering to them a strong suppressive signal.

Collagenase-Induced Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis-A Thorough Flow Cytometry Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder of the joint characterized by cartilage breakdown and synovial inflammation. A number of different cells of innate and adaptive immunity contribute to joint pathology during OA inflammation. The interaction between the local synovial and systemic inflammatory cellular response and the structural changes in the joint is still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the different types of immune cells in the development of OA. METHODS: Collagenase-induced osteoarthritis was induced in Balb/c mice; flow cytometry analysis; and histopathological damages were assessed in histological sections stained with H&E, Toluidine blue, and Safranin O. RESULTS: Flow cytometry analysis showed B lymphocyte infiltration in the active phase of inflammation and an increase in the effector T cell population into the synovium. An increased activation state of cytotoxic T cells and of NK cell populations in the spleen and synovium was also found. The differentiation of NK cells from a cytotoxic phenotype in early OA to cells with an effector phenotype in the chronic phase of the disease followed. CONCLUSIONS: A number of different cells contribute to inflammatory processes in OA. The correlation between their phenotype and the inflammatory pathophysiology could result in the development of novel approaches to suppress destructive changes in the joint.

Methyl- rich diet ameliorates lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice.

Genetic susceptibility is necessary but not sufficient for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to appear indicating that environmental factors are also key components in the disease onset. Aberrant DNA methylation profile positively correlates with the development of lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of long term administration of methyl-rich diet in MRL mice. The results showed that supplemented diet decreased the levels of proteinuria and of anti-dsDNA antibodies and modulated cytokine profiles. Limited kidney failure and prevented development of skin lesions in MRL/lpr mice were another positive effects of the high-dose methyl diet. These data suggest that it is possible to modulate the disease course by altering the amount of particular dietary micronutrients and that nutrition-mediated changes in DNA methylation may have potential clinical relevance.

Antitumor Properties of Epitope-Specific Engineered Vaccine in Murine Model of Melanoma.

Finding new effective compounds of natural origin for composing anti-tumor vaccines is one of the main goals of antitumor research. Promising anti-cancer agents are the gastropodan hemocyanins-multimeric copper-containing glycoproteins used so far for therapy of different tumors. The properties of hemocyanins isolated from the marine snail Rapana thomasiana (RtH) and the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa (HaH) upon their use as carrier-proteins in conjugated vaccines, containing ganglioside mimotope GD3P4 peptide, were studied in the developed murine melanoma model. Murine melanoma cell line B16F10 was used for solid tumor establishment in C57BL/6 mice using various schemes of therapy. Protein engineering, flow cytometry, and cytotoxicity assays were also performed. The administration of the protein-engineered vaccines RtH-GD3P4 or HaH-GD3P4 under the three different regimens of therapy in the B16F10 murine melanoma model suppressed tumor growth, decreased tumor incidence, and prolonged the survival of treated animals. The immunization of experimental mice induced an infiltration of immunocompetent cells into the tumors and generated cytotoxic tumor-specific T cells in the spleen. The treatment also generates significantly higher levels of tumor-infiltrated M1 macrophages, compared to untreated tumor-bearing control mice. This study demonstrated a promising approach for cancer therapy having potential applications for cancer vaccine research.

Defective oogenesis in mice with pristane-induced model of systemic lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by generation of autoantibodies and severe damage of various organs. The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and especially estrogen might lead to damage of reproductive function and ovarian quality. We employed a pristane-induced lupus model of Balb/c mice which resembles human lupus in an attempt to follow oogenesis disruption during the disease progression. The integrity of cytoskeletal and chromatin structures was estimated in oocytes derived by hormonally stimulated ovulation in lupus mice and the results were compared with those from healthy mice. Chromatin, tubulin and actin structures in oocytes were detected by Hoechst 33258, anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and rhodamine-labeled phalloidin, respectively. All available meiotic spindles were analyzed - in immature (metaphase I) and mature oocytes (metaphase II). The total number of mature oocytes obtained from lupus mice was lower compared to healthy controls. The maturation rate was 9.8 % for lupus mice, 12.7 % for 7-month old controls, and 14.3 % for the young control mice (4 weeks old). Another major difference between the studied groups was the higher percentage of defective metaphase I spindles registered in oocytes derived from lupus mice (60 % normal spindles), while for the young and older controls this proportion was 86 % and 81 %, respectively. No such difference was registered for metaphase II spindles. For both metaphase I and metaphase II oocytes, the proportions of normal actin cap and chromosomal condensation were similar between the experimental groups.

Morphometric and Nanomechanical Features of Platelets from Women with Early Pregnancy Loss Provide New Evidence of the Impact of Inherited Thrombophilia.

Pregnancy is associated with hypercoagulation states and increased thrombotic risk, especially in women with thrombophilia. We combine atomic force microscopy (AFM) and flow cytometry to examine the morphology and nanomechanics of platelets derived from women with early pregnancy loss (EPL) and control pregnant (CP) and non-pregnant (CNP) women. Both control groups exhibit similar morphometric parameters (height and surface roughness) and membrane stiffness of platelets. EPL patients' platelets, on the other hand, are more activated than the control groups, with prominent cytoskeletal rearrangement. In particular, reduced membrane roughness (22.9 ± 6 nm vs. 39.1 ± 8 nm) (p < 0.05) and height (692 ± 128 nm vs. 1090 ± 131 nm) (p < 0.05), strong alteration in the membrane Young modulus, increased production of platelets' microparticles, and higher expression of procoagulant surface markers, as well as increased occurrence of thrombophilia (FVL, FII20210A, PLA1/A2, MTHFR C677T or 4G/5G PAI-1) polymorphisms were found. We suggest that the carriage of thrombophilic mutations triggers structural and nanomechanical abnormalities in platelets, resulting in their increased activation. The activation state of platelets can be well characterized by AFM, and the morphometric and nanomechanical characteristics might serve as a new criterion for evaluation of the cause of miscarriage and offer the prospect of an innovative approach serving for diagnostic purposes.

Anti-ANX A1 Antibody Therapy in MRL/lpr Murine Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunction of immune regulation, overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and attack on normal tissues by self-reactive cells and antibodies. The main role in the pathogenesis plays the autoreactive tandem of B-T cells, responsible for lupus progression and acceleration. Both activated B and T cells express a phospholipid binding protein Annexin A1 and abnormal levels of the protein were found in murine and human autoimmune syndromes, potentiating its role as a therapeutic target. Here, using anti-annexin A1 antibody we explore its property to modulate the autoimmune response in MRL/lpr mouse model of lupus. Anti-ANX A1 antibody was tested in vitro using spleen cells from MRL/lpr mice to determine the effect on lymphocyte activation, plasma cells differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation by flow cytometry and ELISpot assays. Subsequently, several groups of young (disease-free) and old (sick) MRL/lpr mice were treated with the antibody to determine the levels of panel auto-antibodies and cytokines, T cell arrest and migration. Treatment of splenocytes with anti-ANX A1 antibody inhibited T-cell activation and proliferation, suppressed anti-dsDNA antibody-producing plasma cells and affected B cell apoptosis. Administration of the antibody to MRL/lpr mice resulted to decreased autoantibody levels to various lupus antigens, suppressed T cell migration from lymph nodes and increased the levels of IL4 mRNA compared to the control group. Anti-ANX A1 antibody therapy suppresses B and T cell over-activation and down- modulates disease activity.

Discovering common pathogenetic processes between COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus by differential gene expression pattern analysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Increased severity of COVID-19 has been observed in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to identify common transcriptional signatures, regulators and pathways between COVID-19 and DM. We have integrated human whole-genome transcriptomic datasets from COVID-19 and DM, followed by functional assessment with gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), among the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 32 were found to be commonly modulated in COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes (T2D), while 10 DEGs were commonly downregulated. As regards type 1 diabetes (T1D), 21 DEGs were commonly upregulated, and 29 DEGs were commonly downregulated in COVID-19 and T1D. Moreover, 35 DEGs were commonly upregulated in SARS-CoV-2 infected pancreas organoids and T2D islets, while 14 were commonly downregulated. Several GO terms were found in common between COVID-19 and DM. Prediction of the putative transcription factors involved in the upregulation of genes in COVID-19 and DM identified RELA to be implicated in both PBMCs and pancreas. Here, for the first time, we have characterized the biological processes and pathways commonly dysregulated in COVID-19 and DM, which could be in the next future used for the design of personalized treatment of COVID-19 patients suffering from DM as comorbidity.

Simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A and enterotoxin A in milk by magnetic nanoparticles based fluorescent immunoassay.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and staphylococcus enterotoxin A (SEA) are highly toxic contaminants and have induced human health problems. They commonly occur in milk and milk products. A competitive fluorescent immunoassay was developed for rapid and simultaneous determination of these toxins in milk samples. The procedure was based on the competitive immunoreactions between antigens in sample and antigen-fluorescent dye conjugates with immobilised antibodies on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Each monoclonal antibody specifically recognises its corresponding toxin (antigen), and there is no cross-reactivity in the assay. First, monoclonal antibodies against OTA and SEA were produced. The activity of the obtained antibodies was determined by fluorescent-linked immunosorbent assay. Then, the monoclonal antibodies were immobilised on MNPs. The amounts of immobilised anti-OTA antibody and anti-SEA antibody were determined to be 20 and 22 µg mL-1, respectively. The antigen-fluorescent dye conjugates OTA-OVA-ATTO620 and SEA-FITC were prepared. The optimal amount of immobilised antibodies for competitive immunoassay was determined. It was found that the linear range of OTA in buffer was larger (0.001-100 ng mL-1) than the linear range of SEA (0.001-20 ng mL-1). The results for simultaneous determination of OTA and SEA in sixfold diluted milk were almost the same in buffer; the linear range for OTA was from 0.005  to 100 ng mL-1 and for SEA from 0.005  to 20 ng mL-1. The detection limit for both OTA and SEA in milk was 0.004 ng mL-1. The developed method took half the time of the individual assays (20 min). The assay was evaluated using spiked milk samples. The influences of somatic cell count, fat, pH and protein concentration in milk on immunoassay were studied. In summary, this developed immunoassay could provide an effective and rapid approach for detecting multi-toxins in milk samples.

Efficacy and safety of Aviron Rapid® in 18-60-year-old patients with clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory viral infection: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM: Prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections are given the highest priority because of the tremendous health and economic impact of these diseases. Development of novel effective and safe options for treatment can contribute considerably to decrease the burden of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in ambulatory-treated adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute upper respiratory tract viral infection. The patients (18-60 years old) were randomized into two groups and followed-up for 5 days. Group 1 received the standard symptomatic therapy + Aviron Rapid®, and Group 2 received the standard symptomatic therapy + placebo. The primary endpoint of the study was defined as the duration of disease measured by the percentages of disease-free patients for every 12-hour period of the study. RESULTS: Treating clinically relevant patients with the natural product Aviron Rapid® for 5 days decreases the duration of disease, the intake of antipyretics and the severity of symptoms. Significant difference between the tested groups for most of studied parameters was found as soon as 12 or 24 hours after initiation of administration in favour of active arm and was the most prominent on days 3 and 4. Significant decrease in the total score of symptoms severity was achieved on day 4 and extended to the end of study. There were no dif-ferences in the adverse events between the groups and the tested product demonstrated excellent safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: This study is a clinical confirmation of well documented antiviral activity of the product targeting multiple points in viral replication and covering broad spectrum viral pathogens.