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Comparative role of complement in pneumococcal and staphylococcal pneumonia
Infection and Immunity
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Complement protects against pneumococcal pneumonia but not staphylococcal pneumonia in rat models. Decomplementation increased pneumococcal severity, while Staphylococcus aureus infections remained unchanged, indicating complement
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
- Its role in bacterial pneumonia requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of complement in Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia.
- To compare the impact of complement depletion on these distinct bacterial infections in a murine model.
Main Methods:
- Rats were decomplemented using cobra venom factor.
- Intratracheal inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus or type 25 Streptococcus pneumoniae was performed.
- Bacterial loads in lungs and blood were quantified at various time points.
Main Results:
- Decomplementation did not alter the severity of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.
- Decomplementation significantly increased the severity of type 25 Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia, with higher bacterial loads in the lungs.
- Increased pneumococcal lung burden in decomplemented rats was not solely due to bacteremia.
Conclusions:
- Complement plays a significant protective role against Streptococcus pneumoniae lung infection in this murine model.
- Complement is not essential for host defense against Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.