Effect of coinfection with influenza virus and bacteria on host damage.

BACKGROUND

Influenza virus infection is often complicated by a bacterial infection, with this coinfection causing severe pneumonia. If not timely treated, the disease can cause death.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate, in animal models, that coinfection with influenza virus and bacteria that affect the respiratory tract causes multisystemic damage.

METHOD: Six groups of mice were formed: a control group, one infected with the influenza virus, two infected with bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively; and two co-infected with influenza virus and Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the six groups of mice, only the group co-infected with influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae showed damage to thoracic and abdominal organs. A decrease in serum cytokine levels was found in all study groups, which was more pronounced in the co-infected mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The groups of mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or influenza virus alone showed no damage, which indicates that coexistence of these infections caused the damage in the group of co-infected mice.