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Pathogenesis of Respiratory Viral and Fungal Coinfections

Fabián Salazar1, Elaine Bignell1, Gordon D Brown1

  • 1Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|November 17, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Severe viral respiratory infections, like influenza and COVID-19, increase the risk of invasive fungal infections. Understanding these complex coinfections is crucial for developing new treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Severe viral respiratory infections, including influenza and COVID-19, place individuals at high risk for secondary invasive fungal infections.
  • Fungal coinfections, particularly invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, significantly increase disease severity and mortality in patients with viral pneumonia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms underlying increased susceptibility to invasive fungal disease after respiratory viral infections.
  • To explore the complex copathogenesis of viral and fungal coinfections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on mechanisms of fungal susceptibility post-viral infection.
  • Analysis of host-pathogen interactions in viral-fungal coinfections.

Main Results:

  • Viral infections disrupt host immune defenses, creating opportunities for fungal pathogens.
  • The interplay between host immunity and microbial virulence contributes to poor outcomes and failure to achieve homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • A deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving these coinfections is essential.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic targets is critical for preventing and treating emerging viral-fungal coinfections.
Keywords:
SARS-CoVantifungal immunityaspergillosiscoinfectioncopathogenesisfungal pathogensinfluenzarespiratory viruses

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