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Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice
10:47

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

Published on: April 14, 2011

Influenza virus induces bacterial and nonbacterial otitis media

Kirsty R Short1, Dimitri A Diavatopoulos, Ruth Thornton

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. kirsty_short@yahoo.com

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|September 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a new infant mouse model for otitis media (OM). Influenza virus alone causes middle ear inflammation, which may increase the risk of bacterial OM in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Otitis media (OM) is a frequent childhood illness, often resulting from bacterial spread to the middle ear following viral infections.
  • The precise mechanisms linking viral infections to bacterial otitis media pathogenesis remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a novel infant murine model for studying otitis media.
  • To investigate the role of viral infection, specifically influenza virus, in the development of bacterial otitis media.

Main Methods:

  • Development of an infant murine model for co-infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus.
  • Assessment of bacterial load, middle ear inflammation, and hearing loss in infected mice.

Main Results:

  • Mice coinfected with S. pneumoniae and influenza virus exhibited high bacterial loads, significant middle ear inflammation, and hearing loss.
  • Mice infected with influenza virus alone showed middle ear inflammation and hearing loss, suggesting a direct viral impact.
  • Mice colonized with S. pneumoniae alone had minimal bacterial presence, inflammation, and hearing impairment.

Conclusions:

  • The study presents a clinically relevant infant mouse model for otitis media research.
  • Influenza virus infection alone induces middle ear inflammation in infant mice, potentially predisposing them to bacterial OM.
  • This model facilitates further investigation into otitis media pathogenesis and prevention strategies.

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