Virus interference in CoViD-19

CD71: Role in permafrost immunity

Iron, an essential constituent of cell metabolism, is transported intra-cellularly bound to the ubiquitous 76 kDa blood glycoprotein transferrin via the transferrin receptor, CD71. Because of its structure, CD71 facilitates the binding and penetration of a large variety of viruses into the host. Among which the hemorrhagic fever-causing New World mammarena viruses (family of single stranded ambisense segmented RNA Arenaviridae), the single stranded positive sense RNA hepatitis C virus, the single stranded negative sense segmented influenza A virus, the single stranded negative sense RNA rabies virus, the single stranded positive sense SARS-CoV2 and possibly many others. In this process, CD71 is associated with the target of the anti-proliferative antibody-1 (CD81) viral co-receptor. In light of the plethora of novel and ancient viruses and microbes emerging from melting eternal glacier ice and permafrost, it is timely and critical to define and characterize interventions, besides the soluble form of CD71 (sCD71), that can abrogate or minimize this novice non-canonical function of CD71.

The lymphatic system: a pathway for meta-inflammation in permafrost immunity

The lymphatic system is the anatomical substratum of immunity. Lymphatics collect tissue exudates, which contain cell debris, peptides, micronutrients and pathogens, as well as immune naive and memory effector cells from the body tissues and organs into the lymph. Lined by endothelial cells cemented together by tight junctions to ensure their impermeability, lymphatics contain valves that prevent the backward flow of the lymph as it moves forward toward the right and left venous angles, the anatomical site of confluence with the venous blood. Meta-inflammation increases the permeability of lymphatics, rendering the elderly more susceptible to novel and ancient airborne viruses released by melting glaciers and permafrost. Simple public health protocols (e.g., mask-wearing, quarantine) are essential to minimize colliding epidemics/pandemics, and favor permafrost immunity.

Colliding Pandemics and CoViD-19

Cases of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), monkeypox virus (MPXV), and avian influenza A Virus (IAV) have increased during our current prolonged Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CoViD-19) pandemic. The rise of these viral infectious diseases may be associated or even inter-dependent with acute, latent or recurrent infection with Systemic Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV2). The nonsensical neologism 'tripledemic' was tentatively introduced to describe the confluent nature of these trends (epidemic comes from two Greek words: epi=on, about, demos=people; pandemic is also derived from Ancient Greek: pan=all, demos=people; but 'tripledemic' would derive from Latin triplus=three, Greek demos=people, and would at best signify 'three countries, three peoples', but certainly not the current threat of confluence of three, or perhaps more pandemics). Emerging evidence suggests that monkey pox and CoViD-19, among several other viral diseases, produce significant observable manifestations in the oral cavity. From a clinical standpoint, dentists and dental personnel may be among the first health professionals to encounter and diagnose clinical signs of converging infections. From the immune surveillance viewpoint, viral recombination and viral interference among these infectious diseases must be examined to determine the potential threat of these colliding pandemics.

Trends in Hospitalization and Mortality for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Seasonal epidemics of respiratory viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses (PIVs), and human metapneumovirus (MPV) are associated with a significant healthcare burden secondary to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations every year in the United States (US) alone. Preventive measures implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 infection), including facemasks, hand hygiene, stay-at-home orders, and closure of schools and local/national borders may have impacted the transmission of these respiratory viruses. In this study, we looked at the hospitalization and mortality trends for various respiratory viral infections from January 2017 to December 2020. We found a strong reduction in all viral respiratory infections, with the lowest admission rates and mortality in the last season (2020) compared to the corresponding months from the past three years (2017-2019). This study highlights the importance of public health interventions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had far-reaching public health benefits. Appropriate and timely use of these measures may help to reduce the severity of future seasonal respiratory viral outbreaks as well as their burden on already strained healthcare systems.

Post acute CoViD-19 syndrome (PACS) - Long CoViD

Patients sero-positive for the Systemic Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus2 (SARS-CoV2) virus develop the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CoViD-19). CoViD-19 may be asymptomatic in some individuals, proffer mild symptoms in other patients, and can be a serious and even lethal disease in a sub-group of the population. The variables that determine the severity of CoViD-19 have not been fully characterized. What is clear is that the patients who survive CoViD-19 return to a state of sero-negativity for SARS-CoV2 generally within 3-5 weeks. However, several cases of repeated infection have been reported, and a large proportion of CoViD-19-recovered patients manifest multi-system and multi-organ symptomatic pathologies several weeks-to-months after resuming sero-negativity for SARS-CoV2. This new pathological condition, originally termed Long Covid, is now recognized as the Post Acute CoViD-19 Syndrome (PACS). The original principal clusters of signs and symptoms of PACS: likelihood of relapse and reinfection, physical fatigue and cognitive slowdown, may actually be broadened to include immune deregulation, cardiovascular disease and coagulation abnormalities. The development and evaluation of new and improved clinical interventions for PACS are critical and timely.