Obesity and susceptibility to severe outcomes following respiratory viral infection. Issue 7 (22nd February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Almond, Mark H; Edwards, Michael R; Barclay, Wendy S; Johnston, Sebastian L
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 68:Issue 7(2013)
• Page Start: 684
• Page End: 686
• Publication Date: 2013-02-22
• Subjects: Viral Infection -- Respiratory Infection -- Innate Immunity -- Immunodeficiency; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-203009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, obesity was convincingly identified as a novel, independent risk factor for multiple markers of disease severity. Associations between numerous nosocomial and community-acquired clinical infections have previously been established; yet, little is known about the mechanisms underpinning the increased susceptibility to severe outcomes following pandemic H1N1/09 infection in obesity. Here, we present a brief synthesis of the recent advances in our understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of obesity on outcomes following respiratory viral infection, with a particular focus on pandemic influenza.