Katerina Tiligada

Bio: Katerina Tiligada is an academic researcher from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The author has contributed to research in topics: Histamine & Histamine receptor. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 21 citations.

Histamine receptors and COVID-19.

Abstract: Reports that the over-the-counter histamine H2 receptor antagonist famotidine could help treat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) appeared from April 2020. We, therefore, examined reports on interactions between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and histamine receptor antagonists. A systematic literature search was performed by 19 September 2020, and updated on 28 October 2020, in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar using (COVID-19 OR coronavirus OR SARS-CoV-2) AND (histamine antagonist OR famotidine OR cimetidine). ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for COVID-19 and (famotidine or histamine). Famotidine may be a useful addition in COVID-19 treatment, but the results from prospective randomized trials are as yet awaited. Bioinformatics/drug repurposing studies indicated that, among several medicines, H1 and H2 receptor antagonists may interact with key viral enzymes. However, in vitro studies have to date failed to show a direct inhibition of famotidine on SARS-CoV-2 replication. Clinical research into the potential benefits of H2 receptor antagonists in managing COVID-19 inflammation began from a simple observation and now is being tested in multi-centre clinical trials. The positive effects of famotidine may be due to H2 receptor-mediated immunomodulatory actions on mast cell histamine–cytokine cross-talk, rather than a direct action on SARS-CoV-2.

Case of Human Infestation with Dermanyssus gallinae (Poultry Red Mite) from Swallows (Hirundinidae).

Abstract: Dermanyssus gallinae (the poultry red mite, PRM) is an important ectoparasite in the laying hen industry. PRM can also infest humans, causing gamasoidosis, which is manifested as skin lesions characterized by rash and itching. Recently, there has been an increase in the reported number of human infestation cases with D. gallinae, mostly associated with the proliferation of pigeons in cities where they build their nests. The human form of the disease has not been linked to swallows (Hirundinidae) before. In this report, we describe an incident of human gamasoidosis linked to a nest of swallows built on the window ledge of an apartment in the island of Kefalonia, Greece. Mites were identified as D. gallinae using morphological keys and amplifying the Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene by PCR. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis and median-joining network supported the identification of three PRM haplogroups and the haplotype isolated from swallows was identical to three PRM sequences isolated from hens in Portugal. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids, while the house was sprayed with deltamethrin. After one week, the mites disappeared and clinical symptoms subsided. The current study is the first report of human gamasoidosis from PRM found in swallows' nest.

Glucocorticoids and COVID-19

Abstract: Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates globally, representing the greatest health and economic challenge today. Several drugs are currently approved for the treatment of COVID-19. Among these, glucocorticoids (GCs) have received particular attention due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. In fact, GC are widely used in current clinical practice to treat inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune diseases. Major mechanisms of GC action include inhibition of innate and adaptive immune activity. In particular, an important role is played by the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the induction of proteins with anti-inflammatory activity. Overall, as indicated by various national and international regulatory agencies, GCs are recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 in patients requiring oxygen therapy, with or without mechanical ventilation. Regarding the use of GCs for the COVID-19 treatment of non-hospitalized patients at an early stage of the disease, many controversial studies have been reported and regulatory agencies have not recommended their use. The decision to start GC therapy should be based not only on the severity of COVID-19 disease, but also on careful considerations of the benefit/risk profile in individual patients, including monitoring of adverse events. In this review we summarize the effects of GCs on the major cellular and molecular components of the inflammatory/immune system, the benefits and the adverse common reactions in the treatment of inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, as well as in the management of COVID-19.

Kinases as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Anti-coronaviral Therapy.

Abstract: The global coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has affected more than 140 million and killed more than 3 million people worldwide as of April 20, 2021 The novel human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as an etiological agent for COVID-19 Several kinases have been proposed as possible mediators of multiple viral infections, including life-threatening coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-1, Middle East syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 Viral infections hijack abundant cell signaling pathways, resulting in drastic phosphorylation rewiring in the host and viral proteins Some kinases play a significant role throughout the viral infection cycle (entry, replication, assembly, and egress), and several of them are involved in the virus-induced hyperinflammatory response that leads to cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), organ injury, and death Here, we highlight kinases that are associated with coronavirus infections and their inhibitors with antiviral and potentially anti-inflammatory, cytokine-suppressive, or antifibrotic activity

Famotidine use and quantitativesymptom tracking for COVID-19 in nonhospitalizedpatients: A case series

Abstract: Objective: Treatment options for nonhospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reducemorbidity, mortality, and spread of the disease are an urgent global need The over-the-counter histamine-2 receptorantagonist famotidine is a putative therapy for COVID-19 We quantitively assessed longitudinal changes in patient-reported outcome measures in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 who self-administered high-dose famotidineorally Design: Patients were enrolled consecutively after signing written informed consent Data on demographics, COVID-19 diagnosis, famotidine use, drug related side-effects, temperature measurements, oxygen saturations, and symptom scores were obtained using questionnaires and telephone interviews Based on an NIH-endorsedProtocol to research Patient Experience of COVID-19, we collected longitudinal severity scores of five symptoms(cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, and anosmia) and general unwellness on a 4-point ordinal scalemodeled on performance status scoring All data are reported at the patient level Longitudinal combined normalizedsymptom scores were statistically compared Results: Ten consecutive patients with COVID-19 who self-administered high-dose oral famotidine were identified The most frequently used famotidine regimen was 80mg three times daily (n=6) for a median of 11 days (range: 5 to21 days) Famotidine was well tolerated All patients reported marked improvements of disease-related symptomsafter starting famotidine The combined symptom score improved significantly within 24 hours of starting famotidineand peripheral oxygen saturation (n=2), and device recorded activity (n=1) increased Conclusions: The results of this case series suggest that high-dose oral famotidine is well tolerated and associated with improved patient reported outcomes in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 A blinded outpatient trial isplanned The findings may be transferable and relevant to the treatment of patients with cancer and COVID-19

Deltamethrin induces apoptosis in cerebrum neurons of quail via promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

Abstract: Deltamethrin (DLM) is a widely used and highly effective insecticide. DLM exposure is harmful to animal and human. Quail, as a bird model, has been widely used in the field of toxicology. However, there is little information available in the literature about quail cerebrum damage caused by DLM. Here, we investigated the effect of DLM on quail cerebrum neurons. Four groups of healthy quails were assigned (10 quails in each group), respectively given 0, 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg DLM by gavage for 12 weeks. Through the measurements of quail cerebrum, it was found that DLM exposure induced obvious histological changes, oxidative stress, and neurons apoptosis. To further explore the possible molecular mechanisms, we performed real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related mRNA such as glucose regulated protein 78 kD, activating transcription factor 6, inositol requiring enzyme, and protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like ER kinase. In addition, we detected ATP content in quail cerebrum to evaluate the functional status of mitochondria. The study showed that DLM exposure significantly increased the expression of ER stress-related mRNA and decreased ATP content in quail cerebrum tissues. These results suggest that chronic exposure to DLM induces apoptosis of quail cerebrum neurons via promoting ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, our results provide a novel explanation for DLM-induced apoptosis of avian cerebrum neurons.