Viral Interference During Influenza A-SARS-CoV-2 Coinfection of the Human Airway Epithelium and Reversal by Oseltamivir

J Infect Dis. 2024 May 15;229(5):1430-1434. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad402.

Abstract

To gain insight into interactions among respiratory viruses, we modeled influenza A virus (IAV)-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coinfections using differentiated human airway epithelial cultures. Replicating IAV induced a more robust interferon response than SARS-CoV-2 and suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in both sequential and simultaneous infections, whereas SARS-CoV-2 did not enhance host cell defense during influenza infection or suppress IAV replication. Oseltamivir, an antiviral targeting influenza, reduced IAV replication during coinfection but also reduced the host antiviral response and restored SARS-CoV-2 replication. These results demonstrate how perturbations in one viral infection can impact its effect on a coinfecting virus.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; coinfection; influenza virus; oseltamivir; viral interference.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents* / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19* / virology
  • Coinfection* / drug therapy
  • Coinfection* / virology
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus* / drug effects
  • Influenza, Human* / drug therapy
  • Influenza, Human* / virology
  • Oseltamivir* / pharmacology
  • Oseltamivir* / therapeutic use
  • Respiratory Mucosa / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2* / drug effects
  • Viral Interference*
  • Virus Replication* / drug effects