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Journal of Virology, February 2009, p. 1341-1349, Vol. 83, No. 3
0022-538X/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JVI.01123-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Infection with Human Metapneumovirus Predisposes Mice to Severe Pneumococcal Pneumonia {triangledown}

Irena Kukavica-Ibrulj,1 Marie-Ève Hamelin,1 Gregory A. Prince,2 Constance Gagnon,1 Yves Bergeron,1 Michel G. Bergeron,1 and Guy Boivin1*

Research Center in Infectious Diseases of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada,1 Virion Systems, Inc., Rockville, Maryland2

Received 28 May 2008/ Accepted 2 November 2008

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently described paramyxovirus that causes respiratory tract infections. Prior clinical studies have highlighted the importance of respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus, in facilitating secondary bacterial infections and increasing host immunopathology. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of initial viral infection with hMPV or influenza A virus followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae superinfection 5 days later in a murine model. Both groups of superinfected mice demonstrated significant weight loss (mean of 15%) and higher levels of airway obstruction (mean enhanced pause value of 2.7) compared to those of mice infected with hMPV, influenza virus, or pneumococcus alone. Bacterial counts increased from 5 x 102 CFU/lung in mice infected with pneumococcus only to 107 and 109 CFU/lung in mice with prior infections with hMPV and influenza A virus, respectively. A more pronounced interstitial and alveolar inflammation correlated with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-1{alpha} (IL-1{alpha}), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1{alpha}, KC, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, as well as greater expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR6, TLR7, and TLR13 in the lungs of superinfected animals compared to results for single infections, with similar immunological effects seen in both coinfection models. Prior infection with either hMPV or influenza A virus predisposes mice to severe pneumococcus infection.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: CHUQ-CHUL, room RC-709, 2705 Blvd. Laurier, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada G1V 4G2. Phone: (418) 654-2705. Fax: (418) 654-2715. E-mail: Guy.Boivin{at}crchul.ulaval.ca

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 19 November 2008.

Journal of Virology, February 2009, p. 1341-1349, Vol. 83, No. 3
0022-538X/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JVI.01123-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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