Secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae infection increases morbidity and mortality during murine cryptococcosis

• DOI: 10.1111/imm.13701
• Publication Date: 2023-10-12T02:55:16Z
• Authors: Bárbara A. Miranda; Gustavo J. C. Fre...; Victor A. T. Leoc...; Marliete C. Costa; Elúzia C. P. Emídio; Noelly Q. Ribeiro; Paulo H. F. Carmo; Ludmila Gouveia‐E...; Josy Hubner; Luciana P. Tavares; Raquel D. N. Arifa; Camila B. Brito; Monique F. Silva; Mauro M. Teixeira; Tatiane A. Paixão; Nalu T. A. Peres; Caio T. Fagundes; Daniel A. Santos
• Keywords: Proinflammatory cytokine

Abstract Microorganisms that cause pneumonia and translocate to the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for high mortality worldwide. The fungus Cryptococcus gattii (Cg) bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) target same infection organs. This study aimed investigate consequences of secondary Sp during murine cryptococcosis. Mice infected with after Cg showed significantly increased lethality a drop in scores motor behaviour, neuropsychiatric status autonomous function. Previous favoured multiplication lungs, causing intense inflammation necrosis, further bacterial translocation spleen, liver brain. phenotype was associated platelet‐activating factor receptor ( Pafr ) gene expression, reduced M1 macrophage recruitment, levels proinflammatory mediators. Strategies overcome early (i.e., −/− mice, treatment IL‐1 inhibitor or corticoid) were insufficient revert this phenotype. These results suggest makes lung microenvironment favourable colonization dissemination. Altogether, it leads an exacerbated ineffective inflammatory response, decisive morbidity coinfection. In conclusion, our highlight importance more studies addressing coinfections their host, aiming establish effective therapeutical strategies.