Transmission and control of rhinovirus colds

Abstract

With the expanding knowledge of rhinovirus transmission and rhinovirus chemistry, the outlook for control of infections with these agents has brightened considerably. Although rhinoviruses are probably the world's leading cause of respiratory illness, they are surprisingly reluctant transmitters, infecting only about 50% of susceptibles in family-like settings. Current research suggests that rhinoviruses are spread chiefly by aerosol, rather than by fomites or personal contact. It has been possible to interrupt rhinovirus transmission completely by careful use of virucidal facial tissues, which, presumably, smothered aerosols generated by coughing, sneezing and nose blowing. Accordingly, it may be feasible to control rhinovirus (and perhaps other virus) dissemination by appropriate air handling and filtration systems in combination with careful nasal sanitation. Anti-rhinovirus drug development is also moving forward. Although there are over 100 rhinovirus serotypes, it has been found that most rhinoviruses attach to a single cell receptor by a single binding site on the virus. Also, the structure of the rhinovirus capsid is now known at the atomic level. These two pieces of knowledge about basic viral architecture appear to open new vistas for reasoned synthesis of antiviral drugs, and some promising compounds are now under investigation. Even interferon has been demonstrated useful in a family setting. On several research fronts, there are good grounds for optimism about control of rhinovirus colds.

Effects of decreased plasma glutamine concentrations on peripheral lymphocyte proliferation in rats

“…In particular, the exercise-induced state of overtraining which has been de®ned as prolonged fatigue and underperformance lasting at least 2 weeks (Budgett 1990), has been associated with increased frequency and severity of respiratory infections including persistent colds, sore throats, and¯u like illnesses. This idea has also been supported by epidemiological studies in humans, suggesting that upper respiratory tract infections abound in well-trained elite athletes (Hanley 1976;Jennings and Dick 1987), such as Olympic competitors. In the prevention of infectious disease, T-lymphocytes play an important role as cells of the immune system, and their function in vivo has been evaluated by mitogeninduced proliferation in vitro.…”

Estimates of Improved Productivity and Health from Better Indoor Environments

“…For rhinovirus infections, laboratory experiments demonstrate that transmission is possible as a consequence of both direct and indirect contact (e.g., Gwaltney et al, 1978; Examples of infectious aerosols are small aerosols produced by coughing and sneezing that contain a high virus concentration. Hendley, 1982) and also from infectious aerosols (e.g., Dick et al, 1987;Jennings and Dick, 1987;Couch et al, 1966); however, there is contradictory evidence regarding the relative significance of the transmission routes. The airborne route of transport is also known or thought to be significant for a number of other respiratory infections including adenovirus infections, coxsackievirus infections, influenza, measles, and tuberculosis (Couch et al, 1966;Couch, 1981;Knight, 1980;Sattar and Ijaz, 1987;Nardell et al, 1991).…”

Maturation of the Gag core decreases the stability of retroviral lipid membranes

“…Non-enveloped viruses, such as rhinoviruses and adenoviruses, maintain their structural stability during transmission in aerosols, biological fluids, and inhospitable environmental conditions (Dick et al, 1987; Jennings and Dick, 1987; Roden, Lowy, and Schiller, 1997; Sene et al, 1995). In contrast, enveloped viruses are inherently more fragile due to their lipid bilayer so may have evolved mechanisms to maintain their stability during transmission (Lowen et al, 2007; Polozov et al, 2008).…”