Pulmonary immune response to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The immune response to S. pneumoniae is complex, multi-laye ed and incompletely understood. The lung has non-specific defence mechanisms that include cellular and secreted components. The initial response to bacteriathat adhere to or breach the epithelium is mediated by the innate immune system and recognition of non-specific motifs common to many pathogens. This stimulates the inflammatory response and subsequently the development of the more specific adaptive immune system. Better understanding of the immune response to S. pneumoniae will underpin future progress in both the prevention of infection and adjuvants to existing treatments.