Viral potentiation of bacterial superinfection of the respiratory tract.
Virus infections of the respiratory tract predispose it to bacterial superinfections. Epidemiological studies, clinical evidence of viral-bacterial co-infection and animal models of such interactions suggest a time course of events and several mechanisms by which viral potentiation may occur. It appears that structural and functional disruption of the respiratory mucosal epithelium is a major contributor to the synergistic effects of superinfection.
Bakaletz
L O
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Otological Research Laboratories, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1282, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015163:Superinfection / Q000209:etiology*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000821:virology