Cited by 423Influenza Virus Research StudiesPneumonia and Respiratory InfectionsRespiratory viral infections research

Lethal Synergism between Influenza Virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae: Characterization of a Mouse Model and the Role of Platelet‐Activating Factor Receptor

McCullers, Jonathan A., Rehg, Jerold E.·2002·The Journal of Infectious Diseases

Abstract

A lethal synergism exists between influenza virus and pneumococcus, which likely accounts for excess mortality from secondary bacterial pneumonia during influenza epidemics. Characterization of a mouse model of synergy revealed that influenza infection preceding pneumococcal challenge primed for pneumonia and led to 100% mortality. This effect was specific for viral infection preceding bacterial infection, because reversal of the order of administration led to protection from influenza and improved survival. The hypothesis that influenza up-regulates the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFr) and thereby potentiates pneumococcal adherence and invasion in the lung was examined in the model. Groups of mice receiving CV-6209, a competitive antagonist of PAFr, had survival rates similar to those of control mice, and lung and blood bacterial titers increased during PAFr inhibition. These data suggest that PAFr-independent pathways are operative in the model, prompting further study of receptor interactions during pneumonia and bacteremia. The model of lethal synergism will be a useful tool for exploring this and other mechanisms underlying viral-bacterial interactions.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1086/341462

Cites

48 of 48 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The timing of infection with the 2 organisms in coinfection models affects outcomes.

    “The timing of infection with the 2 organisms in coinfection models affects outcomes.”
  • In the pneumococcal secondary infection model, influenza virus enhances the bacterial load of S. pneumoniae recovered from the lungs and blood of mice, and strain-specific differences between outcomes are directly related to the total bacterial lung load.

    “In the pneumococcal secondary infection model, influenza virus enhances the bacterial load of S. pneumoniae recovered from the lungs and blood of mice, and strain-specific differences between outcomes are directly related to the total bacterial lung load [23,32,33].”
  • Little to no enhancement of disease is seen if the bacterial infection precedes exposure to the virus or the organisms are encountered together.

    “Little to no enhancement of disease is seen if the bacterial infection precedes exposure to the virus or the organisms are encountered together [23].”
  • Roughly 3-10 days after viral infection, a proinflammatory state characterized by granulocyte and monocyte influx into the lungs amplifies host responses to bacteria, resulting in poor outcomes.

    “Roughly 3-10 days after viral infection, a proinflammatory state characterized by granulocyte and monocyte influx into the lungs amplifies host responses to bacteria, resulting in poor outcomes [23,25,43].”
  • There seems to be a biphasic response to the virus that alters innate responses to the secondary bacterial pathogen.

    “There seems to be biphasic response to the virus that alters innate responses to the secondary bacterial pathogen.”

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Authors
McCullers, J. A., & Rehg, J. E.
Affiliations
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (US)
Venue
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Published
2002-08
Volume
186
Issue
3
Pages
341-350
ISSN
  • 0022-1899 (ISSN-L)
  • 1537-6613
OpenAlex
W2105680176
Cited by
423
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 20
FWCI
7.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Infectious Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (1k08ai049178-01)
  • National Cancer Institute (CA21765, P30CA021765)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI-49178)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Influenza Virus Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Respiratory viral infections research
Keywords
influenza virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, secondary bacterial pneumonia, platelet-activating factor receptor, CV-6209, bacteremia, mouse model, host-pathogen interaction
MeSH terms
Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Lung, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Orthomyxoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae Infections, Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins, Pneumonia, Pneumococcal, Pyridinium Compounds, Receptors, Cell Surface, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, Mice

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