Targeting Inflammatory Responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Publication date: Available online 1 October 2015 Source:New Horizons in Translational Medicine Author(s): Jimstan Periselneris, Ricardo J. José, Jeremy Brown . Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of infectious morbidity and mortality, causing otitis media, pneumonia, septicaemia, and meningitis. The host inflammatory response is required for clearance of bacteria, but excessive inflammation can mediate bystander tissue damage. The host response is complex; involving initial recognition by pattern recognition receptors, clearance by tissue macrophages and the institution of an inflammatory response. This is orchestrated by the synthesis of a range of cytokines and chemokines that mediate both local and distant inflammatory effects. This causes neutrophil recruitment, upregulation of mucosal immunity, an acute phase response, and eventually the generation of antibodies. Currently, apart from antibiotic initiation, the use of adjuncts is limited to steroids in meningitis, with less evidence for their use in pneumonia. Some antibiotics used in recommended treatment regimens have immunomodulatory effects which may explain their beneficial effects above and beyond their antibacterial functions. By understanding the role of inflammation in pathogenesis better, more targeted approaches are being developed to limit excessive inflammation. Pathways being evaluated include inhibition of chemokines, inhibition of coagulation pathways that crosstalk with inflammatory s...

Source: New Horizons in Translational Medicine - October 2, 2015 Category: Research Source Type: research