title: Differential effect of prior influenza infection on alveolar macrophage phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli: involvement of interferon-gamma production.
abstract: The influenza A virus is one of the main causes of respiratory infection. Although influenza virus infection alone can result in pneumonia, secondary bacterial infection combined with the virus is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, while influenza infection increases susceptibility to some bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Haemophilus influenzae, other bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae are not associated with influenza infection. The reason for this discrepancy is not known. In this study, it was found that prior influenza virus infection inhibits murine alveolar macrophage phagocytosis of S. aureus but not of E. coli. Here, the mechanism for this inhibition is elucidated: prior influenza virus infection strongly increases interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production. Furthermore, it was shown that IFN-γ differentially affects alveolar macrophage phagocytosis of S. aureus and E. coli. The findings of the present study explain how influenza virus infection increases susceptibility to some bacteria, such as S. aureus, but not others, and provides evidence that IFN-γ might be a promising target for protecting the human population from secondary bacterial infection by influenza.
authors: Virology Division, National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Anyang, Gyeonggido, Korea.
authors: Do Thi Thu
authors: do TT
authors: Hang
authors: Eun-Jin
authors: EJ
authors: Choi
authors: Jae-Young
authors: JY
authors: Song
authors: Seon-E
authors: SE
authors: Kim
authors: Jeongyeon
authors: J
authors: Kwak
authors: Yeun-Kyung
authors: YK
authors: Shin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma