Effect of Vitamin A Deficiency in Dysregulating Immune Responses to Influenza Virus and Increasing Mortality Rates After Bacterial Coinfections.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Secondary bacterial coinfections are ranked as a leading cause of hospitalization and morbid conditions associated with influenza. Because vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and insufficiency are frequent in both developed and developing countries, we asked how VAD influences coinfection severity.

Methods

VAD and control mice were infected with influenza virus for evaluation of inflammatory cytokines, cellular immune responses, and viral clearance. Influenza-infected mice were coinfected with Streptococcus pneumoniae to study weight loss and survival.

Results

Naive VAD mouse lungs exhibited dysregulated immune function. Neutrophils were enhanced in frequency and there was a significant reduction in RANTES (regulated on activation of normal T cells expressed and sec

SUBMITTER: Penkert RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8161642 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature