Because the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, one other potential well being disaster looms on the horizon co-infection with influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Whereas every virus by itself poses vital well being dangers, their interplay throughout the human respiratory system might result in exacerbated illness outcomes, elevating considerations about how these pathogens have an effect on one another after they co-exist. Latest analysis by Professor Narasaraju Teluguakula and colleagues explores this interaction of their examine and printed within the journal Viruses in 2024.
The examine attracts consideration to an alarming phenomenon: when these two viruses infect the lungs concurrently, it may end up in extra extreme respiratory sickness. Professor Teluguakula, together with co-researchers from establishments together with the College of Tennessee, the Adichunchanagiri College, India, and the Nationwide College of Singapore, talk about the dangers posed by co-infection and the way it impacts the survival and replication of each viruses. As Professor Teluguakula notes, “Influenza co-infection has been related to elevated morbidity and mortality in sufferers with COVID-19, suggesting a synergistic impact that exacerbates lung illness and worsens medical outcomes.” Their article highlights the urgent want for understanding the dynamics between these two viral pathogens in the course of the flu season.
Each influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses share a number of key traits—they’re single-stranded RNA viruses that infect the human respiratory tract and have overlapping transmission strategies. Nevertheless, their interplay throughout the lung atmosphere stays complicated. Scientific information from co-infection circumstances are inconclusive, with some sufferers exhibiting elevated severity of signs whereas others expertise milder or unchanged outcomes. What is evident, nonetheless, is that the 2 viruses can amplify the immune system’s inflammatory responses, resulting in elevated lung injury and even organ failure.
One essential discovering is that influenza an infection can alter the habits of SARS-CoV-2 within the lungs. In laboratory experiments, influenza was discovered to outcompete SARS-CoV-2 by replicating extra quickly in lung cells. This aggressive suppression may cut back the viral load of SARS-CoV-2, doubtlessly providing some safety in opposition to extreme COVID-19. Nevertheless, this isn’t at all times the case in medical eventualities, as influenza can even upregulate receptors like ACE2, that are essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells, thus facilitating the virus’s unfold.
Curiously, Professor Teluguakula and his group highlighted that co-infection may generally create a deadly synergy between the viruses. For instance, co-infected animals of their research confirmed heightened irritation, extended pneumonia, and worsened lung pathology in comparison with animals contaminated with only one virus. This phenomenon seems to be pushed by a mix of each viruses’ potential to set off an exaggerated immune response, typically leading to acute respiratory misery syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening situation. “The co-existence of each pathogens within the lungs might result in an amazing inflammatory response that damages the alveolar construction, exacerbating the pathophysiological penalties,” says Professor Teluguakula.
This twin viral risk has vital implications for public well being, particularly in the course of the winter months when influenza usually surges. Knowledge from the examine counsel that sufferers, significantly the aged and immunocompromised, are at heightened danger of extreme outcomes if co-infected. The researchers additionally level to a number of case stories indicating that co-infection has contributed to increased ICU admissions, extended hospital stays, and elevated mortality charges.
Vaccination emerges as a essential technique in mitigating the dangers posed by this twin risk. The examine underscores the potential protecting advantages of the influenza vaccine in opposition to extreme COVID-19 outcomes. “Annual influenza vaccination can drastically cut back ICU admissions and will even supply some safety in opposition to SARS-CoV-2,” states Professor Teluguakula, referencing medical research that present a correlation between flu vaccination and higher COVID-19 outcomes. These findings supply a glimmer of hope that widespread vaccination campaigns may assist cut back the severity of co-infection circumstances, particularly throughout flu season.
In conclusion, Professor Teluguakula and his co-researchers stress the necessity for extra research to raised perceive the complicated interactions between these two viruses. With each influenza and SARS-CoV-2 anticipated to proceed circulating within the international inhabitants, future analysis might want to discover new therapy methods and improved diagnostic instruments to handle co-infection circumstances. They emphasize that whereas co-infection will be lethal, it is usually preventable via vigilant public well being measures reminiscent of vaccination, early detection, and correct medical intervention. As we transfer into the long run, understanding the interaction between these pathogens will probably be essential in decreasing the burden of respiratory illnesses on international well being methods.
Journal Reference
Teluguakula, N., Chow, V.T.Ok., Pandareesh, M.D., Dasegowda, V., Kurrapotula, V., Gopegowda, S.M., Radic, M. “SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Co-An infection: Honest Competitors or Sinister Mixture?” Viruses, 2024, 16, 793. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050793
In regards to the Authors
Dr. Narasaraju Teluguakula acquired his PhD in virology from the Division of Microbiology, Osmania College, Hyderabad, India in 2002. He joined the college of the Middle for Veterinary Well being Sciences and Oklahoma Middle for Respiratory and Infectious Ailments (ORCID), a Nationwide Institute of Well being (NIH)-funded Middle at Oklahoma State College, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA in 2010. He’s at present a Professor in Microbiology at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and College of Pure Sciences, Adichunchanagiri College, Karnataka, India. He has been engaged on ‘respiratory and infectious illnesses’ for greater than 20 years. His lab primarily targeted on understanding the lung pathophysiology in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 virus infections. His analysis recognized a number of mechanisms for the position of neutrophils and their launched neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in deadly influenza and SARS-CoV-2. He additionally served as a grant reviewer for the Division of Protection (DoD), USA, and The Nationwide Prok Board, USA. He has printed over 50 peer-reviewed articles and editorial columns in high-impact medical and scientific journals.
Dr. Vincent TK Chow is a medical virologist and molecular biologist who graduated with MD, PhD, FRCPath, MBBS, and MSc {qualifications}. At present, he serves as an Affiliate Professor of Microbiology and Principal Investigator of the Host and Pathogen Interactivity Laboratory on the Yong Bathroom Lin College of Drugs, Nationwide College of Singapore (NUS). Dr Chow beforehand served as President of the Asia-Pacific Society for Medical Virology in addition to Chair of the Virology Part of the Worldwide Society of Chemotherapy. He has acquired a number of awards and honors (together with the Murex Virologist Award for Speedy Viral Analysis, the Particular Commendation Award and School Analysis Excellence Award from NUS, the Singapore Society of Pathology – Becton Dickinson Award, the Chan Yow Cheong Oration on the sixth Asia-Pacific Congress of Medical Virology). His analysis pursuits give attention to the molecular genetics and infectomics of viruses/illnesses reminiscent of influenza, enterovirus 71, dengue, SARS coronavirus, and human herpesvirus 6. He has printed over 290 articles in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals.
Dr. M.G. Shivaramu, Principal of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) and Dean of Well being Sciences (Medical) at Adichunchanagiri College, Karnataka, India, is a distinguished medical schooling and healthcare chief. He holds an MD in Forensic Drugs from Karnataka College, India. He has been instrumental in varied management roles within the establishment’s educational, administrative, and monetary administration resulting in recognition from nationwide regulatory boards such because the Nationwide Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Suppliers (NABH) and the Nationwide Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). His management has pushed the enlargement of each undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, the institution of a mentor-ward system, and the promotion of analysis tradition amongst college students and college. Dr. Shivaramu is a outstanding researcher and educator, with a give attention to forensic medication and medical schooling applied sciences. He has been acknowledged for his efforts in bettering the standard of schooling and analysis at AIMS, leading to notable rankings and awards for the establishment. Dr. Shivaramu continues to contribute to the sphere via his quite a few publications and energetic participation in skilled societies. He additionally serves on varied councils and committees on public well being at regional and nationwide ranges.
