Mechanisms of changes in immune response during bacterial coinfections of the respiratory tract

Abstract

Acute diseases of the respiratory tract are often caused by viral pathogens and accompanying secondary bacterial infections. It is known that the development of such bacterial complications is caused mainly by a decreased infiltration with immune system cells and by suppressed inflammation in the lungs. There are significant advances in understanding the mechanisms of secondary infections, although many details remain unclear. This review summarizes current knowledge of the molecular and cellular changes in the host organism that can influence the course of bacterial coinfections in the respiratory tract.

Mouse Models of Sepsis and Septic Shock

“…Pneumonia-induced sepsis provides a clinically relevant model because airway infections often lead to secondary infection and subsequent acute respiratory distress syndrome, bacteremia, damage to the lungs, and multiple organ failure [20,96,97]. The model is relatively simple and reproducible and allows several alternative routes to administer bacteria, including intranasal (i.n.…”

“…These mice may have limited diversity of the microbiota, which directly affects the immune system and the development of pathological conditions [128]. Moreover, persistent virus infections (for example, herpesviruses) are activated in humans, but not in SPF mice, with septic complications and may change the resistance to bacterial coinfections [72,96,97]. "Dirty" mice are possibly better suitable for mimicking human pathologies [129].…”