Inflammatory responses in influenza A virus infection

Influenza A virus causes respiratory tract infections, which are occasional ly complicated by secondary bacterial infections. Influenza A virus replica tes in epithelial cells and leukocytes resulting in the production of chemo kines and cytokines, which favor the extravasation of blood mononuclear cel ls and the development of antiviral and Th1-type immune response. Influenza A virus-infected respiratory epithelial cells produce limited amounts of c hemokines (RANTES, MCP-1, IL-8) and IFN-alpha/beta, whereas monocytes/macro phages readily produce chemokines such as RANTES, MIP-1 alpha, MCP-1, MCP3, IP-10 and cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-18 and IFN-alpha/beta. The role of influenza A virus-induced inflammatory response in relation to otitis media is being discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.