Effect of coinfection with influenza virus and bacteria on host damage / Efecto de la coinfección por virus de la influenza y bacterias en el daño al hospedero

Abstract Background: Influenza virus infection is often complicated by a bacterial infection, with this coinfection causing severe pneumonia. If not timely treated, the disease can cause death. Objective: To demonstrate, in animal models, that coinfection with influenza virus and bacteria that affect the respiratory tract causes multisystemic damage. Method: Six groups of mice were formed: a control group, one infected with the influenza virus, two infected with bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively; and two co-infected with influenza virus and Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively. Results: Of the six groups of mice, only the group co-infected with influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae showed damage to thoracic and abdominal organs. A decrease in serum cytokine levels was found in all study groups, which was more pronounced in the co-infected mice. Conclusions: The groups of mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or influenza virus alone showed no damage, which indicates that coexistence of these infections caused the damage in the group of co-infected mice.

Resumen Antecedentes: La infección por el virus de la influenza con frecuencia se complica con una infección bacteriana, coinfección que provoca cuadros graves de neumonía, la cual puede ocasionar la muerte si no es tratada en forma oportuna. Objetivo: Demostrar en modelos animales que la coinfección por el virus de la influenza y bacterias que afectan el tracto respiratorio ocasiona daño multisistémico. Método: Se formaron seis grupos de ratones: un grupo control, uno infectado de virus de la influenza, dos infectados de bacterias: Haemophilus influenzae y Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectivamente; y dos coinfectados de virus de la influenza y Haemophilus influenzae y Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectivamente. Resultados: De los seis grupos de ratones, solo en el grupo coinfectado de virus de la influenza y Streptococcus pneumoniae se observó daño en órganos torácicos y abdominales. En todos los grupos se encontró disminución de los niveles séricos de las citocinas, mayor en los ratones coinfectados. Conclusiones: Los grupos de ratones infectados solo de Streptococcus pneumoniae o el virus de la influenza no presentaron daños, lo cual indica que la coexistencia de estas infecciones fue la que ocasionó el daño en el grupo de ratones coinfectados.

Epidemiological profile of patients co-infected with visceral leishmaniasis and HIV/AIDS in Northeast, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) co-infection has been a research topic of interest worldwide. In Brazil, it has been observed that there is a relative underreporting and failure in the understanding and management of this important association. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients with VL with and without HIV/AIDS. METHODS: We conducted an observational and analytical study of patients with VL followed in a Reference Service in the State of Maranhão, Brazil from 2007-2013. RESULTS: In total 126 patients were enrolled, of which 61 (48.4%) were co-infected with HIV/AIDS. There were more males among those with HIV/AIDS (85.2%, P>0.05) or with VL only (81.5%, P>0.05). These findings significantly differed based on age group (P<0.003); the majority of patients were aged 31-40 years (41.0%) and 21-30 years (32.3%) among those with and without HIV/AIDS co-infection, respectively. The incidence of diarrhea and splenomegaly significantly differed between the two groups (P=0.0014 and P=0.019, respectively). The myelogram parasitic examination was used most frequently among those with HIV/AIDS (91.8%), followed by those with VL only (69.2%). VL recurrences and mortality were significantly higher in the HIV/AIDS co-infected patients (P<0.0001 and P=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with VL with or without HIV/AIDS co-infection were mostly adult men. Diarrhea was more frequent in HIV/AIDS co-infected patients, whereas splenomegaly was more common in patients with VL only. In the group of HIV/AIDS co-infected patients, there was a higher rate of VL recurrence and mortality.

Visceral leishmaniasis and leishmaniasis-HIV coinfection: comparative study

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to draw clinical and epidemiological comparisons between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and VL associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHOD: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Of 473 cases of VL, 5.5% were coinfected with HIV. The highest proportion of cases of both VL and VL/HIV were found among men. A higher proportion of VL cases was seen in children aged 0-10 years, whereas coinfection was more common in those aged 18-50 years. CONCLUSIONS: VL/HIV coinfected patients presented slightly differently to and had a higher mortality rate than those with VL only.