Interaction between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in severe pneumonia

Abstract

The contribution of bacterial superinfection to influenza-associated pneumonia morbidity and mortality is evident from the 1918 and 1957 influenza pandemics, and is supported by a number of murine model studies. Murine model studies have also assisted in helping to expand our understanding of the pathogenesis of the interaction between the influenza virus and subsequent susceptibility to pneumococcal superinfections. The purported impact that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has had on reducing the burden of confirmed influenza-associated pneumonia, as well as upon all-cause clinical pneumonia, provides additional clinical evidence of the role of superimposed pneumococcal infections as a cause of severe pneumonia in children. Using this information together with the evidence for the effectiveness of influenza vaccination against influenza-associated pneumonia, it is imperative that preventive strategies for future influenza pandemic preparedness include broad-based vaccination against pneumococci, as well as ensuring that adequate antimicrobials are available for the early treatment of influenza virus, in addition to pneumococcal and other bacterial infections.