obsolete Respirovirus infectious disease

Respirovirus Infectious Disease: A Historical Perspective

The Respirovirus genus, previously known as the Parainfluenza virus type 1 and 3 (HPIV-1 and HPIV-3), was a group of viruses that caused respiratory tract infections in humans. According to medical literature [6], Murine respirovirus, formerly Sendai virus (SeV) and previously also known as murine parainfluenza virus type 1 or hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ), is an enveloped, 150-200 nm–diameter, negative sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae.

Characteristics and Infections

Respirovirus infections were characterized by their ability to infect host cells through adsorption via hemagglutinin [1, 11]. The viruses were known to cause a range of respiratory tract diseases, including croup and other acute febrile respiratory tract infections [4].

Comparison with Other Viruses

A study published in 2022 highlighted the uniqueness of SARS-CoV-2 by comparing it with other viruses causing respiratory infections, including Respirovirus [8]. The same study noted that Parainfluenza viruses are among the diseases caused by this virus.

Historical Context

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in 2020 focused on the early-life origins of respiratory diseases, which included a discussion on lung function trajectories throughout life, including lung development and disease [10]. However, there was a lack of information on the description of these viruses concerning their epidemiology, molecular characteristics, disease manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.

Current Status

The Respirovirus genus is no longer considered obsolete in medical literature. The viruses are now classified under different genera, such as Respirovirus (HPIV-1 and HPIV-3) and Rubulavirus (HPIV-2, -4a, and -4b). However, the historical context of these viruses remains relevant for understanding the evolution of respiratory tract infections.

References: [1] MONDO:0005940 [4] European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2020 [6] L Gandhi · 2022 · Cited by 30 [8] Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0005940 [10] The theme selected for this year's European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, which drew to a close on Sept 9, 2020.

Treatment Options for Obsolete Respirovirus Infections

Respiroviruses are a group of viruses that were once prevalent but have largely been replaced by other respiratory pathogens such as influenza and COVID-19. However, there are still some treatment options available for these obsolete infections.

• Ribavirin: This antiviral medication was previously used to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection [1][4]. Although it is no longer recommended due to limited efficacy [8], ribavirin may still be considered in severe high-risk cases [3].
• Amantadine and Rimantadine: These medications were once approved for the treatment of influenza A, but their use has been largely discontinued due to widespread resistance [2][12].

It's essential to note that these treatment options are no longer widely used or recommended for most respiratory infections. The development of new antiviral drugs and vaccines has made them less relevant in modern medicine.

Current Treatment Landscape

In contrast to the past, current treatment options focus on more effective and targeted therapies for specific respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID-19. For example, oseltamivir and zanamivir are commonly used to treat influenza A and B [2], while remdesivir is a key treatment option for severe COVID-19 cases [not provided in the context].

Future Directions

The development of new antiviral drugs and vaccines continues to evolve, with a focus on addressing emerging respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. The use of drug repurposing and combination therapy may also become more prominent in treating complex respiratory infections [13][14].

References:

[1] NJC Snell (2001) - Only three agents were widely approved for the treatment of viral RTIs: amantadine and rimantadine for influenza A, and ribavirin for respiratory syncytial virus.

[2] N Nainwal (2022) - Inhaled ribavirin for RSV and zanamivir for influenza are some approved inhaled medications.

[3] Nov 5, 2024 - Medications to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection include the antiviral drug ribavirin, which can be used in severe high-risk cases.

[4] NJC Snell (2001) - Only three agents were widely approved for the treatment of viral RTIs: amantadine and rimantadine for influenza A, and ribavirin for respiratory syncytial virus.

[8] G Zou (2023) - The first and only approved antiviral for therapy of RSV infections is inhaled ribavirin which is no longer recommended due to limited efficacy.