Influenza-associated bacterial pneumonia; managing and controlling infection on two fronts.
Bacterial pneumonia complicating influenza is well-recognized as a severe manifestation of influenza, accounting for a substantial number of deaths from the 1918 influenza pandemic. Influenza-associated bacterial pneumonia remains a major contributor to the burden of influenza, and poses new challenges as antibiotic-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus spread. We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of the epidemiology and co-pathogenesis of influenza-associated bacterial pneumonia, and outline management approaches and their limitations. We review preventative measures and discuss implications for pandemic planning. Knowledge gaps are underscored and future research directions are proposed.
Department Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Aaron
A
Campigotto
Samira
S
Mubareka
D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
bacterial pneumonia; co-pathogenesis; control; influenza virus; transmission