Cytokine Profiling in Influenza A Virus and Staphylococcal(Co-)Infections

Influenza A virus and Staphylococcus aureus are common causative agents of pneumonia.Co-infections with these two pathogens frequently occur and are characterized,among others,by higher morbidity and mortality due to hyper-inflammation of the lungs.Here,we aimed to profile systemic and local cytokine composition at early acute stages of pneumonia in amurinemodel.Allmice recovered from single influenza A virus and/or staphylococcal infections.In contrast,co-infections led to a severe clinical outcome.While distinct cytokine patterns were detected in lungs of single-pathogen-infected animals,co-infections combined both virus-and bacteria-driven responses.However,analyses of infected human primarymonocytic cells as well as bronchial epithelial cells did not reflectmurine profiles.Based on infectious dose,mainly bacteria-driven responses were noted.The impact of single cells to cytokine composition of the lungs and translation of murine studies to humans remains uncertain and warrants further studies.