Lung Mucosal Microbiome Diversity Was Reduced By Antibiotic Treatment
Figure 6
Microbiome profiles of each disease group with and without antibiotics . The relative proportion of the bacterial taxa identified from the lungs at the phylum level by 16S sequencing for the respective infection groups both with and without antibiotic pre-treatment . Principle component analysis of the microbial taxa in the Abx-treated mice with influenza-pneumococcal infection or the triple morbidity infection model showing clustering of microbiome for the study groups . The cladogram for the enriched taxa with and without antibiotic treatment for influenza-pneumococcal co-infection and the impact of allergic asthma on these relative abundances .
Clearly separated clusters were evident between the Abx-treated and untreated FB . While changes in the microbiome were evident in the AFB group after Abx-treatment , some overlap still remained as evident by cluster analysis . Interestingly, the majority of taxa have increased abundance with Streptococcus being the only taxa with decreased abundance after treatment in FB group. Overlapping taxa between Abx-treated and untreated mouse microbiota were only observed in the AFB group wherein most of the identified taxa had reduced abundance the only exceptions were Streptococcus and Anaerococcus that were enriched after antibiotic treatment in both niches.
Hillary Clintons Health Issue: Can Allergies Lead To Pneumonia
My good wishes for a speedy recovery for Mrs. Clinton as she recuperates from pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious medical condition where the lungs can become inflamed and fill with fluid from an infection -viral or bacterial. Her campaign has not disclosed what type of pneumonia she has, but it was mentioned that it was believed she was experiencing allergies and this may have led to her pneumonia. Is this possible? Yes. In my clinical practice, I have seen cases where severe allergies have led to bronchitis or pneumonia. However, there are reasons why someone would develop these complications from allergies, and more importantly, they are preventable in the future.
Late Summer Allergies
Mrs. Clinton has been reported to have had a chronic cough for several weeks which she attributed to her seasonal allergies. This time of year, just after Labor Day the two predominant allergens are Ragweed, classically called Hay Fever, and mold spores. Of the two, I believe mold spores are far more of a problem. I have been following the mold spore counts in the New York area and they have been extremely high! Mold thrives in the hot, humid days we have been living with for the past several weeks. It is very possible with Mrs. Clintons heavy travel schedule and her susceptibility to allergens that this set in place her chronic cough, which leads to bronchitis and ultimately pneumonia.
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
My Advice for Mrs. Clinton
Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D.
What Tests Will Be Done To Diagnose Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
To help diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis, your provider might perform or order additional tests, including:
- Allergy blood tests. A provider takes a small sample of blood from your arm using a needle. A lab tests the sample to see if you have signs of a reaction to the allergens that cause HP .
- Imagining.Chest X-rays and CT scans give your provider images of your lungs so they can look for damage.
- Pulmonary function tests. Most lung function tests involve breathing into a tube attached to a machine to measure how well your lungs are working. Your provider may also do blood tests or exercise tests to check your lung function.
- Bronchoscopy. A healthcare provider uses a small, flexible tube passed through your nose or mouth to view the inside of your lungs and collect samples.
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What Are The Causes Of Lung Infection
Your lungs have quite an important job in your body.
Without them, none of your organs could receive the oxygen-rich blood they need to function correctly. So, if you develop issues with your breathing, the rest of your body suffers too.
The lungs are composed of many parts that function harmoniously to keep you breathing. Many forms of infection might cause one of these parts to become inflamed or damaged, resulting in breathing problems or the development of chronic conditions.
Chronic lung conditions have no cures. When left untreated, their symptoms can grow worse, leading to the development of other severe lung conditions and full respiratory failure.
Fortunately, treatment options are available for many lung conditions to help slow down the progression of symptoms and inflammation.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Life expectancy of someone with hypersensitivity pneumonitis depends on the severity of damage to their lungs. A lung transplant can extend your life past these expected timelines.
- Someone with no scarring has a life expectancy of greater than 15 years after diagnosis.
- Someone with fibrosis but no other lung damage, like cysts , has a life expectancy of around eight years after diagnosis.
- Someone with severe damage fibrosis and honeycombing has a life expectancy of around three years after diagnosis.
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What Are The Types Of Rhinitis
There are several types of rhinitis:
- Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergies to substances called allergens.
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis is sometimes called hay fever. But, people with seasonal allergic rhinitis do not have to have a fever and do not have to be exposed to hay to develop this condition. It is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. This type of rhinitis occurs mainly in the spring and fall, when pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are in the air.
- Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present all year long. The primary causes of this type of rhinitis are allergies to dust mites, mold, animal dander and cockroach debris.
- Non-allergic rhinitis is not caused by allergens. Smoke, chemicals or other irritating environmental conditions may provoke non-allergic rhinitis. Hormonal changes, physical defects of the nose and the overuse of nose sprays may also cause it. Sometimes medications cause it. Often, the cause of this type of rhinitis is not well understood. But it is common in patients with non-allergic asthma. The symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms.
- Infectious rhinitis is possibly the most common type of rhinitis. It is also known as the common cold or upper respiratory infection . Colds occur when a cold virus settles into the mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavities and causes an infection.
What Are Risk Factors For Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
If you work in jobs such as the following, you may be more likely to get hypersensitivity pneumonitis:
- Paper and wallboard makers
- Inhaling certain chemicals produced in making plastic, painting, and the electronics industry
Most people who work in these jobs dont get hypersensitivity pneumonitis. If you work in one of these jobs and have a family history, however, you may get the disease.
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How Pet Dander Affects Your Lungs
This may not always be the case, but pet dander affects your lungs. You read that correctly. Not only can pet dander cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but pet dander can potentially be harmful to your respiratory system. According to the American Lung Association this can lead to a decline in the ability of the lungs to function. Make sure that you and your loved ones are safe lets start at the basics.
Allergic Mice Had A More Diverse Immune Cell Signature In The Airways Although Tissue Inflammation Was Lower Compared To Non
Inflammation is an important hallmark of both respiratory allergic disease and infections, although dominant cell types differ. We measured the number and types of leukocytes in the airways as a marker of disease severity. As expected, inflammatory cells were increased significantly over steady state after each trigger . Macrophages were more abundant in the context of IAV as all groups associated with IAV except the FB group had elevated numbers of macrophages . Eosinophils, B cells, and CD4+ T cells followed a similar pattern of abundance, wherein cell numbers were significantly higher in co-morbid groups . Neutrophil infiltration was markedly higher in the FB group, while CD8+ T cell numbers were elevated in the Flu, FB, and AFB groups . Animals that were infected only with Spn, had very little inflammation and had reduced numbers of all investigated cell types . Data normalized to individual mouse cell counts and averaged for the group showed the major difference between FB and AFB groups to be granulocyte populations .
Figure 2Figure 3
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How Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Affects Your Body
When you inhale the dust that you are allergic to, you wont notice any problems the first time. Some people develop symptoms after inhaling a lot the dust all at once or after inhaling small amounts over and over again. Tiny air sacs in the lungs can become irritated and may fill with fluid. If you stop inhaling the allergen, the irritation can get better in a few days. If you keep inhaling those allergens, the lung irritation continues. Parts of your lung can develop scar tissue. When your lungs have scar tissue, it may be hard to breathe normally.
Its important to catch this disease early so that you dont have permanent lung damage:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be a serious problem for people whose lungs become scarred.
- Scarred lungs can occur if the disease continues, and it is permanent.
- Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for long-term hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
What Should I Know About Pneumoconiosis
- Pneumoconiosis can take years to develop. Symptoms are similar to asthma and other respiratory diseases: shortness of breath coughing with phlegm and chest tightness.
- There is no cure for pneumoconiosis treatment focuses on managing the disease. Patients may be prescribed quick-relief and long-acting controller inhalers, as well as undergo oxygen therapy to improve lung function.
- Patients should work with doctors and employers to ensure the workplace has proper health and safety measures in place, including wearing protective clothing and masks. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and frequent handwashing may also help.
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How To Protect Your Lungs From Seasonal Allergies
Check the outdoor air quality levels and pollution forecasts before you venture outside. If you do go outside, scope out the environment for obvious allergy triggers.
Do gardening and lawn maintenance in the early morning or in the evening, while pollen counts are at their lowest.
Stay away from citronella candles, bug sprays, strong-smelling candles, and other seasonal products that can irritate your lungs. Opt for mosquito repellants in lotion form rather than in sprays.
Use medications as prescribed and keep your allergy medications handy.
Consult with a medical professional. Doctors can diagnose seasonal allergies, prescribe medications, and recommend imaging tests to evaluate the health of your lungs. For more information, make an appointment today with Virtual Imaging, Inc. at .
What Is Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare lung disease that occurs almost exclusively in women. It results from an abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells in the lungs, lymphatics system and kidneys. This causes cysts to develop and leads to loss of lung function, fluid in the chest and tumors on kidneys. Sometimes the cysts rupture, allowing air into the chest cavity, causing extreme discomfort.
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How Is It Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine your medical history. They may suspect ABPA or a mold infection if you have a condition that weakens your immune system or an existing respiratory condition.
The next step of diagnosis often involves taking a small sample of your lung fluid to examine under a microscope. They take the sample by inserting a special instrument into your nose or mouth to collect a small amount of lung tissue.
Your doctor may also run a blood test to look for evidence of fungal spores or antibodies in your blood.
An X-ray or CT scan may help them rule out other conditions and look for a buildup of mold in your lungs.
How Seasonal Allergies Affect Healthy Lungs
Anyone who deals with allergies knows how miserable seasonal allergies can be. Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include wheezing, sneezing and coughing. Seasonal allergies can impact lungs by triggering asthma, allergic bronchitis, and other lung problems. Pollen is one of the most common triggers of allergies. Plants release pollen each spring, summer, and early fall. Exposure to the pollen can cause allergic reactions that can affect your lungs.
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When To See An Allergist
See an allergist if you develop unexplained wheezing that keeps coming back or along with other symptoms, such as rapid breathing or problems taking in air.
If you begin wheezing after being stung by an insect, taking medication or eating something you are allergic to, then get emergency treatment. You should also seek emergency treatment if you have difficulty breathing or your skin turns blue.
If you have mild wheezing that comes with a cold or an upper respiratory infection, you might not need treatment.
Prescription Medications And Hospital Treatment
Bacterial lung infections can be treated with antibiotics, but viral lung infections need to “run their course.” However, people with lung infections from any cause may need medical treatment if they have severe symptoms.
For example, people who develop narrowing of the airways with a lung infection may need inhalers that open the airways and corticosteroids to help with inflammation.
People who develop low oxygen levels from a lung infection might need oxygen therapy, and severe cases may need assisted breathing or mechanical ventilation to help with breathing.
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What Should I Know About Sarcoidosis
- Some people with sarcoidosis never experience symptoms and/or never require treatment.
- People with sarcoidosis may experience fever, fatigue and other symptoms depending on the organ that is affected: coughing or wheezing shortness of breath chest pain skin rashes or hives joint pain or stiffness eye irritation or dryness fast heart rate or lightheadedness night sweats.
- Determining whether treatment is needed and what type depends on the symptoms. Oral corticosteroids may be prescribed.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
If your symptoms were initially those of a common cold and they last for 10 days or more, get better and then worsen, or you have other health conditions that worsen, contact a healthcare provider.
High fever, chills, malaise, chest tightness, productive cough, or trouble breathing are ominous signs that may indicate the presence of a serious problem that requires immediate medical attention.
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When To Take A Baby With Rsv To The Hospital
While many cases of RSV can be treated at home, sometimes the illness is more severe requiring hospitalization. An estimated 58,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized every year with RSV.
Those most vulnerable include:
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen
How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed
Healthcare providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
- Chest X-rays. A test that uses invisible radiation beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
- Arterial blood gas. This blood test is used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
- Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped on a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.
- Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify the microorganism causing the infection.
- Pulmonary function tests. These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs. The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into.
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What Are Interstitial Lung Diseases
Interstitial lung diseases comprise more than 200 lung disorders that primarily affect the tissue around the air sacs, called the interstitium. These diseases many of them rare lead to respiratory symptoms similar to asthma or COPD, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. They also decrease lung volume and function, and cause inflammation and scarring that make it difficult to breathe.
How Is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Treated
To successfully treat hypersensitivity pneumonitis, you have to stay away from the cause.
Even with medication, HP wont go away completely if you continue to breathe in the allergen. Chronic HP causes damage that may get worse even if you arent exposed to the allergen anymore.
Your provider may prescribe drugs to reduce inflammation, open your airways or increase your oxygen levels.
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Pathogen Strains And Growth
A clinical Influenza A Virus isolate recovered during the 2009 influenza A virus pandemic gifted by Dr. Webby , was propagated in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, sequence verified to be void of mutations in HA and NA genes, and stored as single use aliquots at 80°C. The concentration of virus was determined by using the TCID50 method in MDCK cells and virus was diluted in sterile PBS to desired concentration for mouse inoculations.
S. pneumoniae A66.1L is a type 3 strain constitutively expressing luciferase , gifted by Dr. Jon McCullers was cultured in Todd-Hewitt broth supplemented with yeast extract to OD620 0.15 corresponding to log growth phase. Cultures were centrifuged at 2671g/4°C, re-suspended in fresh Todd-Hewitt Yeast broth supplemented with 30% autoclaved glycerol, then frozen in single use aliquots at 80°C with concentration determined by enumerating colony growth on agar plates with 5% sheep blood at the time of freezing, and confirmed at least one week after storage. To prepare mouse inocula, A66.1L was thawed at room temperature and serially diluted in PBS in 15mL tubes, then vortexed. Inocula concentration was confirmed by colony growth on blood agar plates.
