Elevations of local leukotriene C4 levels during viral upper respiratory tract infections.
BACKGROUND
One potential mechanism by which respiratory viruses trigger illness and complications is via the local elaboration of inflammatory mediators.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is an increase in local leukotriene C4 (LTC4) levels during experimental infection with influenza A virus (FLU), rhinovirus (RV), or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).


METHODS
Healthy adults were intranasally inoculated with a safety-tested strain of FLU (n = 29), RV (n = 16), or RSV (n = 21). Nasal lavage samples were collected, symptoms were recorded, and expelled nasal secretions were weighed before and then daily after challenge. Lavage samples were submitted for viral culture and assayed for LTC4 levels by radioimmunoassay. Serum antibody titers to the challenge viruses were assayed at baseline and 21 days after challenge.


RESULTS
All subjects were infected as evidenced by viral shedding and/or seroconversion. Following infection, significant increases (P < 0.05 by analysis of variance) in LTC4 levels were measured for each virus. Furthermore, there was a temporal association between the local LTC4 levels and the development of illness.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study, which used an adult experimental model, demonstrate elevations in locally produced LTC4 during respiratory infection with FLU, RV, and RSV. Future studies using antileukotriene agents may help elucidate the precise role of leukotrienes in mediating disease expression.
Gentile
Deborah A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA. dgentile@wpahs.org
Fireman
Philip
P
Skoner
David P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D017997:Leukotriene C4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D012229:Rhinovirus; D013997:Time Factors
D017997:Leukotriene C4