Virus-Induced Changes of the Respiratory Tract Environment Promote Secondary Infections With Streptococcus pneumoniae

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Karina Hentrich¹  Vicky Sender¹  Birgitta Henriques-Normark² 

[1] Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden;

关键词: Streptococcus pneumoniae;    pneumococci;    influenza virus;    COVID-19;    respiratory tract infections;    coinfection;    influenza-pneumococcal coinfection;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcimb.2021.643326

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Secondary bacterial infections enhance the disease burden of influenza infections substantially. Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) plays a major role in the synergism between bacterial and viral pathogens, which is based on complex interactions between the pathogen and the host immune response. Here, we discuss mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of a secondary pneumococcal infection after an influenza infection with a focus on how pneumococci senses and adapts to the influenza-modified environment. We briefly summarize what is known regarding secondary bacterial infection in relation to COVID-19 and highlight the need to improve our current strategies to prevent and treat viral bacterial coinfections.

【 授权许可】

CC BY