title: The Lung Immune Response to Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (Lung Immunity to NTHi).
abstract: Haemophilus influenzae is divided into typeable or nontypeable strains based on the presence or absence of a polysaccharide capsule. The typeable strains (such as type b) are an important cause of systemic infection, whilst the nontypeable strains (designated as NTHi) are predominantly respiratory mucosal pathogens. NTHi is present as part of the normal microbiome in the nasopharynx, from where it may spread down to the lower respiratory tract. In this context it is no longer a commensal and becomes an important respiratory pathogen associated with a range of common conditions including bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, and particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NTHi induces a strong inflammatory response in the respiratory tract with activation of immune responses, which often fail to clear the bacteria from the lung. This results in recurrent/persistent infection and chronic inflammation with consequent lung pathology. This review will summarise the current literature about the lung immune response to nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, a topic that has important implications for patient management.
authors.affiliation: Monash Lung and Sleep, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia ; Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Monash Lung and Sleep, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia ; Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Roleen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D060085:Coinfection; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014777:Virus Diseases