The viral composition was determined in oropharyngeal aspirate and excreted samples of 265 patients from the Lazio CF Reference Center, collected in the period November 2019 – March 2020 (pre-pandemic from Covid-19). 36% of patients was positive for one or more viruses: HRV (Human Rhinovirus, the most common, 58.9%), followed by RSV (Syncytial Respiratory Virus, 11.6%), and FluA (Influenza A Virus, 10.5%). The research indicates a high presence of virus (26%) in respiratory samples from CF patients, especially in those with S. aureus infection. Since the aim of the project is the study of the association between infections and interferon profile (IFN), the expression of the Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) was assessed. TLR are innate immunity receptors involved in the IFN pathway and their main function is to recognize pathogens. The highest TLR levels were identified in patients with high viral load and in HRV positive patients co-colonized with Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Researchers suggest that prolonged viral and bacterial infections contribute to an impaired immune response in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Pubblications

• Prezioso C, Di Lella FM, Rodio DM et al., Merkel Cell Polyomavirus DNA Detection in Respiratory Samples: Study of a Cohort of Patients Affected by Cystic Fibrosis, Viruses 2019 Jun 21;11(6):571
• Scagnolari C, Bitossi C, Frasca F et al., No detection of SARS-CoV-2 in cystic fibrosis patients at the Regional (Lazio) Reference Center for CF in Italy, JOURNAL OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS 2020 Sep;19(5):837-838
• Scagnolari C, Bitossi C, Frasca F et al., Differential toll like receptor expression in cystic fibrosis patients’ airways during rhinovirus infection, Journal of Infection, 2020 Nov;81(5):726-735
• Bitossi C, Frasca F, Viscido A et al., SARS-CoV-2 Entry Genes Expression in Relation with Interferon Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients, Microorganism, 2021 Jan 3;9(1):93.

Congress abstracts

• Bitossi C, Scordio M, Viscido A et al. Differential respiratory tract expression of SARS CoV 2 ACE 2 receptor and of serine proteases and relationship with IFN response in cystic fibrosis patients, 47° Congresso nazionale SIM, 19-21 settembre 2019, Roma
• Bitossi C, Viscido A, Bibbolino G et al. Aspergillus spp. isolation from patients attending the Regional Reference Center for Cystic Fibrosis University Hospital “Policlinico Umberto I”, Rome XLIX CONGRESSO NAZIONALE AMCLI – Rimini, 7-10 novembre 2020