Why theflucauses a simple cold in some people and in others it can be serious, and even fatal? The key lies in the virus’s ability to paralyze the immune system, according to a study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (USA) published in the latest issue of the journal.Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
To reach this conclusion, Kathleen Sullivan and her team recruited a group of children withinfluenza serious and analyzed their levels of cytokines, compounds secreted by cells of the immune system that act as messengers recruiting other cells to help defend the body when an infection occurs. Tests revealed that although the concentration of these molecules in the blood was normal, in severely ill children withfluthe response of the cytokine receptors was much weaker.
The results indicate that in these patientsthe flu viruscause oneparalysis of the immune system, reducing their ability to defend themselves against other germs. And that such immune paralysis could be long-lasting. This process, Sullivan adds, could explain why 25% of children who die from influenza die fromsevere secondary bacterial infectionslike pneumonia.
E.Sanz
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