Respiratory syncytial virus increases the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae by binding to penicillin binding protein 1a. A new paradigm in respiratory infection.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae are major respiratory pathogens. Coinfection with RSV and S. pneumoniae is associated with severe and often fatal pneumonia but the molecular basis for this remains unclear.

Objectives

To determine if interaction between RSV and pneumococci enhances pneumococcal virulence.

Methods

We used confocal microscopy and Western blot to identify the receptors involved in direct binding of RSV and pneumococci, the effects of which were studied in both in vivo and in vitro models of infection. Human ciliated respiratory epithelial cell cultures were infected with RSV for 72 hours and then challenged with pneumococci. Pneumococci were collected after 2 hours exposure and changes in gene expression determined

SUBMITTER: Smith CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4226051 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature