A Novel Outbred Mouse Model of 2009 Pandemic Influenza and Bacterial Co-Infection Severity

Influenza viruses pose a significant health risk and annually impose a great cost to patients and the health care system. The molecular determinants of influenza severity, often exacerbated by secondary bacterial infection, are largely unclear. We generated a novel outbred mouse model of influenza virus, Staphylococcus aureus, and co-infection utilizing influenza A/CA/07/2009 virus and S. aureus (USA300). Outbred mice displayed a wide range of pathologic phenotypes following influenza virus or co-infection ranging broadly in severity. Influenza viral burden positively correlated with weight loss although lung histopathology did not. Inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF-alpha, G-CSF, and CXCL10 positively correlated with both weight loss and viral burden. In S. aureus infection, IL-1 beta, G-CSF, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 positively correlated with weight loss and bacterial burden. In co-infection, IL-1 beta production correlated with decreased weight loss suggesting a protective role. The data demonstrate an approach to identify biomarkers of severe disease and to understand pathogenic mechanisms in pneumonia.