Immune responses underpinning acute co-infections with unrelated viruses: Timing and location matter

Abstract

Immunity to viral infections is generally studied in isolation by measuring immune responses towards a single virus. However, concurrent or sequential viral co-infections can occur in a single host. Viral co-infections can impact anti-viral immunity by altering protective responses and driving immunopathology. Understanding immune mechanisms towards co-infections with unrelated viruses is highly relevant to treatment and prevention. There is, however, a paucity of data on immune responses towards viral co-infections, especially with unrelated viruses. Most commonly studied viral co-infections include chronic viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus, as well..