Viral infections predisposing to bacterial infections

Abstract

Epidemiological and experimental evidence support the hypothesis that primary viral infection increases host susceptibility to secondary microbial invasion. The evidence is most compelling for a correlation between upper respiratory tract viruses and bacterial sinopulmonary disease; and cytomegalovirus and opportunistic fungal, bacterial and protozoal pathogens invading multiple sites. While a number of virus-induced alterations in host defenses have been described, the determinants of virus pathogenicity are still poorly understood.