Abstract
Influenza virus infection remains one of the largest disease burdens on humans. Influenza-associated bacterial co-infections contribute to severe disease and mortality during pandemic and seasonal influenza episodes. The mechanisms of severe morbidity following influenza-bacteria co-infections mainly include failure of an antibacterial immune response and pathogen synergy. Moreover, failure to resume function and tolerance might be one of the main reasons for excessive mortality. In this review, recent advances in the study of mechanisms of severe disease, caused by bacterial co-infections following influenza virus pathogenesis, are summarized. Therefore, understanding the synergy between viruses and bacteria will facilitate the design of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent mortality associated with bacterial co-infections.
Highlights
Influenza viruses are responsible for an average of 400,000 deaths per year globally (Simonsen et al, 1997; Bakaletz, 2004; King et al, 2017; Tansey, 2017)
It is difficult to distinguish the order in which bacterial and influenza infection occurs in a clinical setting, laboratory data have shown that mortality is associated with this sequence
We mainly address the mechanisms of severe morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial co-infections following influenza infection
Summary
Influenza viruses are responsible for an average of 400,000 deaths per year globally (Simonsen et al, 1997; Bakaletz, 2004; King et al, 2017; Tansey, 2017). We mainly address the mechanisms of severe morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial co-infections following influenza infection. This pathology is partly responsible for the observed increase in susceptibility to opportunistic bacterial pathogens, as epithelial cell damage and increased receptor availability enable invading bacteria to adhere and grow.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
