Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions
09:02

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

THE ETIOLOGY OF ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION (COMMON COLD)

P H Long1, J A Doull, J M Bourn

  • 1Department of Medicine and the Clinical Laboratory of the John J. Abel Fund for Research on the Common Cold, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Researchers transmitted common colds to humans using filtered nasal washings from sick individuals. This supports the theory that a virus, not bacteria, causes the common cold.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The common cold, a prevalent upper respiratory infection, has long been studied to identify its causative agent.
  • Previous research suggested a non-bacterial origin, but definitive proof remained elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally transmit common cold-like illnesses in humans.
  • To investigate the nature of the infectious agent responsible for the common cold.

Main Methods:

  • Intranasal inoculation of bacteria-free filtrates from nasopharyngeal washings of individuals with natural colds.
  • Transmission was attempted in single and serial passages (two and four) in human volunteers.

Main Results:

  • Experimental infections resembling the common cold were successfully induced in nine out of fifteen participants.
  • The transmission occurred through both single and serial passages, indicating the infectious agent's viability and replicability.

Conclusions:

  • These findings provide further evidence that the common cold is caused by a filtrable virus.
  • The study supports the viral etiology of the common cold, distinguishing it from bacterial infections.

More Related Videos

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection07:36

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection

Published on: February 28, 2021

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Common Respiratory Disorders01:31

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...