Expression of chemokine receptor CX3CR1 in infants with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) glycoprotein G mimics fractalkine, a CX(3)C chemokine, which mediates chemotaxis of leukocytes expressing its receptor, CX(3)CR1. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between RSV infection and expression of perforin and IFN-gamma in CX(3)CR1-expressing peripheral blood CD8(+) T cells. Samples were collected from infants with RSV bronchiolitis, both in the acute and convalescence phase (n = 12), and from their age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 15). Perforin expression and IFN-gamma secretion in CX(3)CR1(+) CD8(+) T cells were assessed by four-color flow cytometry. The NF-kappaB p50 and p65 subunit levels were also determined as markers of RSV-induced inflammation. Study results showed perforin and CX(3)CR1 expression to be significantly lower in the convalescent phase of infected infants than in healthy controls. There was no significant difference in IFN-gamma secretion and NF-kappaB binding activity between two time-points in RSV-infected infants, or when compared with healthy controls. Infants with prolonged wheezing had lower acute-phase CX(3)CR1 levels in peripheral blood. These data indicate existence of an event persisting after acute RSV infection that is able to modulate effector functions of cytotoxic T cells, and also link disease severity with CX(3)CR1 expression.

Electrocardiographic changes in patients with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

The purpose of the study was to assess the incidence, type and dynamics of electrocardiography (ECG) alterations in patients with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) according to different stages of the disease. 79 patients hospitalized at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb during the large HFRS outbreak in Croatia in 2002 were retrospectively analysed. HFRS diagnosis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A 12-lead resting ECG was obtained. 30 (38%) patients had abnormal ECG findings, most frequently in the oliguric stage. Increased levels of urea and creatinine were observed in all patients with abnormal ECG, along with abnormal chest X-ray in nearly 50% of cases. Sinus tachycardia was the most frequent ECG disorder in the febrile stage, and bradycardia in the oliguric stage. During the course of disease, some other ECG disorders were recorded: bundle branch conduction defects, non-specific ventricular repolarization disturbances, supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles, prolonged QT interval, low voltage of the QRS complexes in standard limb leads, atrioventricular block first-degree, and atrial fibrillation. Myocarditis was present in 3 patients. In conclusion, abnormal ECG was found in more than one-third of HFRS patients with the most common findings during the oliguric stage. All ECG changes were transient.