Immune ageing and susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae

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A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
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A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

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Mariana Torrente Gonçalves1, Timothy J Mitchell1, Janet M Lord2

  • 1School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.

Biogerontology
|October 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Older adults are more susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections due to complex immune system changes and altered nasopharyngeal bacteria. Understanding these age-related factors is key to preventing pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia, with susceptibility peaking in young children and older adults.
  • Immunity involves nasopharyngeal inflammation, phagocytes, and Th17 cells, but age-related changes complicate this.
  • The reasons for increased susceptibility in older adults are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of aging on immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • To explore age-related changes in nasopharyngeal serotypes influencing infection risk.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on aging and Streptococcus pneumoniae immunity.
  • Analysis of immune responses (inflammation, phagocytosis, Th17 cells) in the context of aging.
  • Examination of age-related shifts in nasopharyngeal microbiota composition.

Main Results:

  • Aging impairs immune responses, including phagocyte recruitment and function, increasing susceptibility.
  • Changes in the nasopharyngeal microbiome with age may alter the host's defense against S. pneumoniae.
  • Specific immune pathways like TLR2 recognition and Th17 cell induction are affected by aging.

Conclusions:

  • Age-related immune dysregulation is a significant factor in Streptococcus pneumoniae susceptibility in older adults.
  • Nasopharyngeal bacterial composition changes with age, potentially increasing infection risk.
  • Further research into age-specific interventions is needed to combat pneumococcal disease in the elderly.

Keywords:
AgeingImmunesenescencePneumoniaStreptococcus pneumoniae

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