Exploring the Possible Phenomenon of Viral Interference Between the Novel Coronavirus and Common Respiratory Viruses.

At the peak of the 2021 wave of the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant in North America, there was concern for a superimposed wave of viral respiratory infections. There was, however, an apparent shift in the usual epidemiology of these pathogens, especially during the traditional influenza season from approximately October 2020 to March 2021. This article seeks to briefly describe the epidemiology of notable respiratory pathogens during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to focus on one possible factor for the trends observed. There are many contributory elements to the observed viral trends, but in particular, we present a synopsis of the data supporting the phenomenon of viral interference in relation to the clinically relevant early variants of SARS-CoV-2 (ancestral lineage, alpha, delta, omicron). Viral interference has been implicated in previous pandemics and is currently not well characterized in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to understand this dynamic and its effect on the predominant variants of COVID-19 thus far so that we may appropriately consider its possible influence in patient pathology going forward.

SEASONAL INFLUENZA IN THE WAKE OF THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: AN EXAMPLE OF VIRAL INTERFERENCE?

B Introduction: b The Influenza Virus Is an Important Contributor to the Morbidity and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients. B Results: b In the 2018-2019 Season (S1), a Total of 3076 Tests for Influenza Virus Were Performed, with 582 Testing Positive for Influenza A, and 35 Testing Positive for Influenza B (18.6% of Tests Positive). Viral Interference Between Influenza A and Rhinovirus Has Been Well Demonstrated, with Rhinovirus Driving Both Protective Mechanisms Against Influenza A at the Host Level and Asynchronous Circulation of Influenza A on the Environmental Level. [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Critical Care Medicine is the property of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Inducing Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Case Series.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refers to immune-mediated destruction of platelets. Viral infections have been proposed as an etiology of ITP; antibodies developed in response to infection may cross-react with normal platelets and result in their destruction. Case Series: We report 2 cases in which coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) likely induced severe ITP. Conclusion: ITP may also play a role in the thrombocytopenia observed in some patients with COVID-19. ITP in this patient population may be more prevalent than currently documented.