ARTI?
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) represent the main cause of acute diseases worldwide and remain the number one cause of deaths in newborns and young children (nearly 2 million deaths/year). Respiratory pathogens represent a major public health issue and have a large socio-economic impact. ARTI caused by several viruses including influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses are associated, in the United States, with 20 million days of absenteeism from work and 22 million days of absenteeism from school and, globally, represent a leading cause of consultations, hospitalizations and deaths in both developed and developing countries. As a main example, each year, worldwide, the seasonal Influenza causes 250,000 to 500,000 deaths. In the United States, influenza infections alone caused 31.4 million of medical visits and 200,000 hospitalizations. The medical expenses were estimated $10.4 billion and the Influenza infections leaded to $16.3 billion of lost earnings in 2013.
New efficient antiviral strategies are necessary.
Up to now, very few efficient vaccines or antiviral treatments have been reported in the medical literature to fight against these respiratory pathogens, with the exception of those available against influenza viruses. However, resistance of influenza viral strains to current antiviral agents, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) constitutes a growing medical problem. New efficient antiviral strategies, less prone to the emergence of resistance, are necessary.