Viruses and Bacteria in the Etiology of the Common Cold

Abstract

Two hundred young adults with common colds were studied during a 10-month period. Virus culture, antigen detection, PCR, and serology with paired samples were used to identify the infection. Viral etiology was established for 138 of the 200 patients (69%). Rhinoviruses were detected in 105 patients, coronavirus OC43 or 229E infection was detected in 17, influenza A or B virus was detected in 12, and single infections with parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, and enterovirus were found in 14 patients. Evidence for bacterial infection was found in seven patients. Four patients had a rise in antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae, one had a rise in antibodies against Haemophilus influenzae, one had a rise in antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae, and one had immunoglobulin M antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The results show that although approximately 50% of episodes of the common cold were caused by rhinoviruses, the etiology can vary depending on the epidemiological situation with regard to circulating viruses. Bacterial infections were rare, supporting the concept that the common cold is almost exclusively a viral disease.

Canine Respiratory Coronavirus: An Emerging Pathogen in the Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex

“…Coronaviruses are a cause of respiratory disease in many species, including human beings, poultry, and cattle [15][16][17][18][19][20]. The presence of CRCoV in dogs was first described in a large study of dogs with CIRD [9].…”

Quercetin inhibits rhinovirus replication in vitro and in vivo

“…Rhinovirus (RV) is a single-stranded RNA virus from the Picornaviridae family which is responsible for the majority of upper respiratory tract infections (Makela et al, 1998;Winther, 2011). Although RV infections cause only mild disease and are self-limiting in normal individuals, they represent a significant economic burden, particularly in loss of working hours and missed school days (Proud, 2005).…”

Monoclonal antibodies to SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV): Identification of neutralizing and antibodies reactive to S, N, M and E viral proteins

“…SARS-CoV is genetically distinct from previously described coronaviruses, which have been placed into three antigenic groups: I, II, and III. Human coronaviruses, i.e., 229E-like and OC43-like, belong to groups I and II, respectively, and are recognized as the second most common cause of upper respiratory disease, but are associated infrequently with serious lower respiratory tract disease (El-Sahly et al, 2000;Hendley et al, 1972, Makela et al, 1998Falsey et al, 2002). However, SARS-CoV is usually associated with serious lower respiratory tract disease, having a fatality rate as ranging between 10% and 15% that may be as high as 50% in patients >60 years of age Enserink, 2003;Holmes, 2003;Ksiazek et al, 2003;Poutanen et al, 2003;Rota et al, 2003).…”