tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
A new NIAID study in mice shows that excessive early immune responses contribute to deaths caused by certain influenza viruses. Scientists found that reducing the number of inflammatory immune cells in the lungs of mice increased the animals' survival after infection with a virulent flu strain. The researchers report their results, which offer potential new strategies for flu treatment, in the July 3, 2013, issue of Cell.
Background
Influenza viruses infect cells of the body's respiratory system and rapidly multiply, causing damage to lung tissue. However, the virus itself is not always to blame for the severity of flu symptoms. The immune system's reaction to flu infection sometimes causes inflammation and additional lung damage.
Although most influenza deaths occur in those with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, certain flu viruses can cause death in young, healthy adults. Some studies have suggested that overreaction of the immune system contributes to the lethality of these highly virulent strains. Other work has shown that suppressing immune responses to the flu increases risk of death.
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http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/Pages/overreaction.aspx
Background
Influenza viruses infect cells of the body's respiratory system and rapidly multiply, causing damage to lung tissue. However, the virus itself is not always to blame for the severity of flu symptoms. The immune system's reaction to flu infection sometimes causes inflammation and additional lung damage.
Although most influenza deaths occur in those with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, certain flu viruses can cause death in young, healthy adults. Some studies have suggested that overreaction of the immune system contributes to the lethality of these highly virulent strains. Other work has shown that suppressing immune responses to the flu increases risk of death.
...
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/Pages/overreaction.aspx