Influenza and COVID-19 destroy a previously unknown component of natural immunity

Canadian scientists have discovered a mechanism that increases the risk of fatal fungal infection with coronavirus and influenza. The results of a study by scientists from the University of Calgary have been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

People are known to inhale hundreds to thousands of Aspergillus fungi spores every day. For healthy people, the fungi usually pose no threat, but they can cause deadly infections in people with weakened immune systems. Viral infections can increase the risk of Aspergillus infection even in healthy people.

In a new study, scientists found that influenza and COVID-19 destroy a previously unknown component of the natural immune system needed to resist fungal infections. Biologists have demonstrated in experiments on mice and human blood and tissue samples that two types of white blood cells (neutrophils and a unique type of B-cell) normally work together to fight fungal infection. SARS-CoV-2 or influenza does not allow B-cells to interact with neutrophils to kill fungi.

According to the scientists, their study began with the death of a young patient they were treating. The patient died of influenza-related aspergillosis, and none of the known treatments worked. The results of their work will not only help develop a cure, but also help diagnose and prevent infections more effectively.

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