[Indices of T-lymphocytes and their subpopulations in children with influenza]. / Pokazateli T-limfotsitov i ikh subpopuliatsii u detei pri grippe.

The results of the study of T lymphocytes and their subpopulations in 150 children ranging in age from 2 months to 5 years suffering from influenza complicated with croup, pneumonia, and obstructive syndrome are presented. In 47 children, mixed infection: influenza with concomitant adenovirus infection or respiratory-syncytial infection was observed. The control group consisted of 22 normal children. In the acute period of influenza the number of T lymphocytes and their subpopulations was found to decrease. The greatest decrease in the levels of T lymphocytes and especially of E-theophylline-sensitive ones was observed in cases complicated with pneumonia and obstructive syndrome. In mixed infections, inhibition of E-RFC and their subpopulations was more marked in influenza and adenovirus disease. The data obtained by catamnestic observations of children with lowered levels of T lymphocytes suggest that such children should be referred to a risk group and apparently require immunocorrective therapy.

[Natural killers and interferon in complicated influenza and other acute respiratory viral diseases in children]. / Estestvennye killery i interferon pri oslozhnennom grippe i drugikh ostyrkh respiratornykh virusnykh zabolevaniiakh u detei.

The results of the study on the functional activity of natural killers (NK) and serum interferon in 118 children ranging in age from 3 months to 5 years suffering from influenza and other acute respiratory viral diseases complicated with croup, pneumonia, and obstructive syndrome (66 children with influenza, 21 with parainfluenza, 16 with adenovirus infection, and 15 with respiratory syncytial virus diseases) are presented. The control group consisted of 22 normal children. Decreased NK activity was demonstrated in the acute period of all ARVD but was more marked in adenovirus disease and complications with pneumonia, bronchiolitis, obstructive syndrome. While in hospital, children with low interferon titres developed a new acute viral disease more frequently or their principal disease was complicated with pneumonia. The detection of NK cell inhibition in some patients with ARVD complicated with pneumonia, bronchiolitis and decreased serum interferon levels in these patients are considered as indications for administration of immunotherapy (levamisole, zixorin, cathergen).

[Antiviral and therapeutic action of protease inhibitors in viral infections: experimental and clinical observations]. / Protivovirusnoe i terapevticheskoe deistvie ingibitorov proteaz pri virusnykh infektsiiakh: éksperimental'nye i klinicheskie nabliudeniia.

The effect of protease inhibitors (gordox, contrycal, epsilon-aminocapronic acid) on the development of influenza virus-induced infectious process was studied. Administration of the above-mentioned drugs exerted a marked antiviral and therapeutic effect both in animal experiments and in treatment of children suffering from influenza. Electron microscopic examinations of lungs from influenza virus-infected animals treated with protease inhibitors revealed definite decrease in the number of virus particles and significant diminution of pathological lesions; the changes were noted which indicated activation of the body immune response. The use of a protease inhibitor, epsilon-aminocapronic acid, in children with influenza shortened the duration of influenza virus antigens persistence in the nasopharyngeal epithelium and reduced the duration of the disease symptoms by 1 1/2-2-fold. Administration of epsilon-aminocapronic acid in inhalations exerted most effective antiviral and therapeutic effect. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of influenza treatment with inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes.