The Dietary Intake of Carrot-Derived Rhamnogalacturonan-I Accelerates and Augments the Innate Immune and Anti-Viral Interferon Response to Rhinovirus Infection and Reduces Duration and Severity of Symptoms in Humans in a Randomized Trial.

Acute respiratory infections are an important health concern. Traditionally, polysaccharide-enriched extracts from plants, containing immunomodulatory rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-1), were used prophylactically. We established the effects of dietary supplementation with carrot-derived RG-I (cRG-I, 0-0.3-1.5 g/day) in 177 healthy individuals (18-65 years) on symptoms following infection with rhinovirus strain 16 (RV16). Primary outcomes were changes in severity and duration of symptoms, and viral load in nasal lavage. Secondary outcomes were changes in innate immune and anti-viral responses, reflected by CXCL10 and CXCL8 levels and cell differentials in nasal lavage. In a nested cohort, exploratory transcriptome analysis was conducted on nasal epithelium. Intake of cRG-I was safe, well-tolerated and accelerated local cellular and humoral innate immune responses induced by RV16 infection, with the strongest effects at 1.5 g/d. At 0.3 g/d, a faster interferon-induced response, induction of the key anti-viral gene EIF2AK2, faster viral clearance, and reduced symptom severity (-20%) and duration (-25%) were observed. Anti-viral responses, viral clearance and symptom scores at 1.5 g/d were in between those of 0 and 0.3 g/d, suggesting a negative feedback loop preventing excessive interferon responses. Dietary intake of cRG-I accelerated innate immune and antiviral responses, and reduced symptoms of an acute respiratory viral infection.

Virucidal hand treatments for prevention of rhinovirus infection.

Rhinovirus infections are associated with substantial morbidity and economic cost. The available common cold remedies are of limited utility and specific antiviral approaches have been unsuccessful. Viral contamination of the hands appears to play an important role in the transmission of rhinovirus from person-to-person. Interruption of this step in transmission presents a potential target for intervention. Initial studies demonstrated that the common cold could be prevented by treatment of hands with iodine. Inactivation of the rhinoviruses by acid is well known and a survey of organic acids considered safe for consumer use revealed that salicylic acid and pyroglutamic acid have potent virucidal activity for the rhinoviruses that persists for several hours after application to the hands. A subsequent evaluation in human volunteers confirmed the prevention of rhinovirus infections by these acids and suggested that these agents have promise as cosmetically acceptable virucidal agents for interruption of the transmission of these infections.

New considerations in the treatment and prevention of rhinovirus infections.

Rhinoviruses are a very common cause of infections in children. Although these infections are most closely associated with the common cold, recent studies have established the rhinoviruses as important causes of other upper and lower respiratory illnesses as well. Treatment of these infections is limited to symptomatic therapy. There is no clear evidence that treatment with zinc or echinacea have any role in these infections. Interruption of transmission by handwashing remains the only method for prevention of rhinovirus infections.

[Inactivated vaccines against rhinopneumonitis in horses]. / Inaktivirani vaksini sreshtu rinopnevmonita po konete.

Attempts were made to produce inactivated vaccines against horse Herpes virus 1, using various inactivating agents and adjuvants, Best results were obtained with vaccine No 3 (glutaraldehide inactivator and "CTC" adjuvant). Used were two strains of the virus (St. Karaja and Varna). isolated in this country in cell cultures of a sucking pig kidney. Vaccine No 3 showed good immunogenic properties. Its application resulted in the full cease of abortions and respiratory diseases on the base of infection with the horse Herpes virus 1. The vaccination protects newborn colts from rhinopneumonitis if reimmunization of mares is carried out in the 6th-7th month of pregnancy.