"Influenza Virus: S. pyogenes Super-infection and Immunity," will be presented by Victor Huber from the University of South Dakota at 4 p.m., Nov. 20 in Beadle Center E103 (1901 Vine Street). The seminar is free and open to the public.
Infections with influenza virus have a significant impact on human health, in particular when they are complicated by secondary bacterial infections. Specifically, influenza virus infections that predispose to secondary group A streptococcus (GAS) pneumonia have been associated with excess mortality during both influenza epidemics and pandemics.
The majority of influenza virus:bacteria super-infection models have focused on the contributions of viral and host factors that influence lethal outcomes. We recently demonstrated that some influenza viruses can induce non-lethal outcomes from an influenza virus:bacteria super-infection. We hypothesize that influenza virus genes can induce a host immune response that limits the severity of these secondary bacterial complications. We are testing this hypothesis by evaluating both the viral genes and the host immune responses that contribute to these non-lethal outcomes.
These results will impact future formulations of therapies to enhance the host immune responses associated with prevention and recovery from severe secondary bacterial infections.
The complete schedule of seminars may be found at http://biotech.unl.edu/.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/mx7e