Mechanisms of respiratory virus induced pneumococcal infection in the middle ear.

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Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a common bacterium that temporarily lives in the nose of most young children, usually not causing any disease. Predisposing conditions, such as infection with a respiratory virus, may result in development of clinical disease. We will investigate how influenza virus mediates inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) leading to pneumococcal infection. In particular, modulation of the middle ear innate immune response by viral protein will be studied.