Adenovirus IgG and respiratory syncytial virus IgG seroprevalence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increased chronic inflammatory response of the airways and lungs exposed to harmful gasses and particles.^[1,2] The main risk factor for COPD is to use tobacco. In addition to the use of tobacco and tobacco products, exposure to harmful particles due to the use of fuel with biocide, exposure to grain dust during agricultural operations, exposure to the vapor of metal corrosive chemical agents used in industry and industry, exposure to ammonia and refrigerant gasses, air pollution, genetic susceptibility, and poor nutrition cause COPD development.^[3-5]

In COPD patients, microbial colonization, lung inflammation, systemic inflammation, loss of lung parenchyma, and chronic airflow limitations are observed with increased susceptibility to infection in the lung.^[6,7] COPD is characterized by exacerbation. Exacerbation is the most common symptom of the disease, with increased difficulty in breathing, increased cough, and increased sputum.^[1,4] Exacerbations are caused by bacterial or viral infections, air pollution, and sudden ambient temperature changes. In this case, respiratory distress and worsened pulmonary gas exchange occur. Ventilation/perfusion imbalance initiates inflammation.^[8] Chronic exacerbation in COPD leads to high morbidity, increased frequency of use of health resources and worsening health status of patients , and causes high mortality rate.^[9] Respiratory tract viruses entering the body, which can cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections are called respiratory tract viruses.^[10] In COPD patients, influenza A and B, picornavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, rhinovirus, coronavirus, metapneumovirus, and adenoviruses are known to induce acute exacerbations and worsening the symptoms of the disease.^[11-13]

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of RSV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and adenovirus IgG in COPD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

In our study, in the autumn and winter seasons of COPD exacerbations, serum samples of 172 patients over 40 years of age who were diagnosed with COPD and were treated were used. Sixty-five (37.8%) of the patients were female and 107 (62.2%) were male.

Results of coexistence of RSV and adenovirus

Both RSV and adenovirus positivity were found in 23 (13%) of 172 patients. About 60.9% (n = 14) of the positive specimens were male and 39.1% (n = 9) were female patients [Figure 1].

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Figure 1:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus positivity distributions.

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DISCUSSION

COPD is the most common chronic airway disease in adults, with no progression of airway restriction.^[14,15] Although the main etiologic agents associated with COPD are cigarette smoking and biomass exposure, respiratory tract infections play an important role in both the pathogenesis of stable COPD and acute exacerbations.^[16]

In our study, in the autumn and winter seasons, when COPD exacerbations were common, serum samples of 172 patients over 40 years of age who were diagnosed with COPD and were in treatment were used. Studies have shown that respiratory tract viruses can be isolated from samples such as bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal aspirate, nasopharyngeal swab, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage, while serum samples are used to determine changes in the immune response in the patient.^[14,17-19] In our study, it was preferred that the IgG antibodies, which are specific against the viral factor in the patient’s serum samples and that has a longer half-life than IgM, were determined by the ELISA method.

Our study was performed with serum samples obtained in the autumn and winter seasons, especially when COPD exacerbations are more common.^[13] Of the 172 specimens included in the study, 73 (42.4%) had RSV IgG positivity and 52 (30.2%) had adenovirus IgG positivity. Coinfection (RSV + Adenovirus) was detected in 23 (13.4%) of the patients also. About 60.9% (n = 14) of the samples with coinfection were male and 39.1% (n = 9) were female patients. Coinfection is not very common due to interference in both viruses and bacteria. However, because our study relies on the investigation of the presence of IgG in serum samples, it suggests that individuals with coinfection are successive or have had a previous infection. This can be clarified by studies focused on the viral agent to be carried out by molecular methods. In our study, a statistically significant difference was found in sex (male/female) in both COPD patients and RSV positive patients (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in adenovirus positivity (P >0.05). COPD disease is more common in males than females due to high exposure to risk factors. However, it was determined that the presence of viral agent was higher in female patients.

Tan et al. examined patients with COPD and asthma in endotracheal aspirate and sputum samples and in the study, reported that the most influenza virus was found. In the study, it has been reported that picornavirus, adenovirus, and influenza A and B type viruses were encountered.^[20] In another study, scientists studied viral and bacterial infectious agents in sputum samples from 64 COPD patients. In the study, bacteria or viruses were detected in 78% of the patients in COPD exacerbation period. Lung function loss was also reported in these patients. It has also been reported that the duration of hospitalization of coinfected individuals is longer. The presence of increased neutrophils and eosinophils in the sputum of individuals with viral or bacterial infection was recorded.^[19]

They reported that exacerbations of COPD were triggered by bacterial or viral pathogens, the infectious agents. It is emphasized that these pathogens cause an increase in inflammatory markers in the individual and cause the formation of exacerbation table.^[21] Hutchinson et al., reported that viruses causing respiratory tract infection accompanied by acute exacerbation in COPD patients. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from 92 patients with a mean age of 72 years were investigated with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and atypical pneumonia serology tests. It has been reported that 148 exacerbations were recorded during the 99-week surveillance period and the viral isolation rate in the samples increased 11-fold during exacerbation. In the study, it has been reported that the viral agents of picornavirus, influenza A, parainfluenza type 1, 2, 3, RSV, and adenovirus species were isolated from the patients.^[14] Nichols et al. reported that respiratory viral infections cause seasonal colds, bronchiolitis, acute otitis, sinusitis, croup, community-acquired pneumonia, and exacerbations of both COPD and asthma and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The researchers reported that RSV and adenovirus infections caused specific infections.^[22] They suggest that in COPD, treatment strategies should be determined according to bacterial-viral infections and the immune response that develops against these factors. Viral infection was found in 41.9% of COPD patients with acute exacerbation and in 33.5% of COPD patients with pneumonia. Influenza virus is the most common virus type in the exacerbation group. Coronavirus has been reported in the COPD patient group with concomitant pneumonia. Only viral infection, infection only with bacterial infection, and both viral and bacterial infection (concomitant infection) groups compared the highest rate of congestion in the hospital reported the mortality rate.^[23] Kwak et al. performed a study to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory tract infection in COPD exacerbations, to find factors related to susceptibility to viral infections, and to compare the effects of viral pathogens on non-virus pathogens. In their study, patients treated in hospitals for more than 2 years were examined. As a result of the study, nasopharyngeal swab samples were examined by multiplex PCR technique. The most isolated rhinovirus (38.8%) species was isolated. The presence of viral agents, such as RSV, coronavirus, influenza A, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and metapneumovirus, have also been reported. It is reported that the presence or absence of viral agents in the patient does not affect the severity of exacerbation, whereas the rate of viral infection in the female population in the sample is reported to be higher.^[24] The data obtained in our study show that the disease is more common in the male population in our sample.

Greenberg et al. in their study, followed for 26–35 months and influenza vaccination in elderly patients with COPD and investigated the importance of viral infection. In this cohort study, 27% reported the presence of viral infection in the control group (i.e., in a group of non-COPD patients). Of COPD patients, 44% stated that they cause viral respiratory tract diseases. Among the factors, picornaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and coronavirus viruses have been reported to be the most frequent agents.^[25] In our samples, the incidence of RSV virus was higher than the incidence of adenovirus. It is reported that RSV infection is the most common cause of respiratory infections in the respiratory tract, and it is reported that it is very important to detect the patients receiving care, especially in newborns. Because of this viral pathogen, it is stated that the most accurate diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease is prevented by the physician.^[26] Researchers noted that respiratory tract viruses are in the lower respiratory tract and prepare the ground for secondary bacterial infections in patients with stable COPD. In their study to determine the clinical effects of RSV, Kim et al. compared samples taken from two different groups (COPD patients with acute exacerbation and COPD patients with concomitant pneumonia) using the RT-PCR method.^[23] In our study, viral positivity was evaluated based on demonstration of IgG molecule synthesized specific to the viral agent from the body of the individual.

Because RSV and Adenovirus agents may be among the causes of the pathogenesis of the exacerbation phase of the disease, we discussed this research in the name of choosing more palliative treatment methods for the treatment of the disease (influenza vaccination, conscious use of antibiotics, and selection of specific treatment modality).^[27] Our future work will proceed in this direction.

Viral infection inhibits NK cell responses in the lung, leading to increased susceptibility to subsequent bacterial superinfection.^[28] In one study, the efficacy of influenza vaccine on a sample of six patients with COPD and others treated with chronic lung disease was investigated. COPD patients who received influenza vaccine compared to the placebo-treated group were reported to have a significantly reduced recurrence of exacerbation within 3–4 weeks after administration. Fluid vaccination is a supportive treatment for patients treated for COPD. In a concrete way, influenza virus-induced infection triggers acute exacerbation in COPD patients, leads to worsening of symptoms and increases mortality and morbidity.^[29] In our study, we suggest that vaccination as a preventive treatment will be effective if it is specific to the agent to minimize the adverse effects of the disease.

The prevalence of COPD varies across countries and demographically. This prevalence increases with the frequency of indoor air pollution, occupational exposure, and tobacco smoke. The aging of the current population accelerates this increase.^[30] Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 data show that the life of 2.9 million individuals per year ended due to COPD. COPD, the third cause of death among all deaths worldwide, covers 5.5% of all deaths. This is an indicator of high mortality with early mortality, increased mortality rates, and increased health expenditures.^[31,32] Among the ten leading causes of death in the world between 2002 and 2030, their ranking in the cause of death was ranked 5^th in COPD in 2002, and this rank is expected to be the 6^th in 2030.^[30] BREATHE study (Observational Cross-sectional epidemiology study in COPD in the Middle East region) is a study made to evaluate the prevalence of COPD symptoms in 11 countries in Africa and the Middle East region. Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, and Turkey are discussed in the study of the incidence and prevalence of COPD. According to research data, it was reported that the prevalence of COPD in Turkey is 42.2% and 3 million individuals have COPD. Our country is the third most common country in terms of countries where the study is conducted.^[33]

In this study, the prevalence of specific immune responses against RSV and adenovirus, which play a role in COPD exacerbations has been demonstrated. We suggest that it will be effective to use virus-specific vaccines as a treatment modality for the elimination of viral agents that increase the severity of exacerbations in unvaccinated COPD patients.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the prevalence of specific immune responses against RSV and adenovirus, which play a role in COPD exacerbations has been demonstrated. We suggest that it will be effective to use virus-specific vaccines as a treatment modality for the elimination of viral agents that increase the severity of exacerbations in unvaccinated COPD patients.