Influenza virus infections still pose a serious threat to humans. Severe disease progression is often associated with co-infection with bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, but also with fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. S. aureus often only colonizes the nasopharynx, but also has the potential to induce life-threatening infections that are mediated by multiple virulence factors. A. fumigatus is responsible for influenza-associated aspergillosis that affects immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent patients and is linked to a high mortality rate. The enhanced pathogenicity is due to complex interactions between the different pathogens and the host and its immune system and is mainly governed by altered intracellular signaling processes. However, knowledge about the molecular mechanisms involved in co-infections of influenza viruses and S. aureus or A. fumigatus is incomplete.

​

The presentation summarizes the latest findings on excessive immune responses and harmful inflammation during co-infection with influenza virus and S. aureus and presents several signaling pathways involved. Furthermore, the potential of various cellular factors as targets for novel anti-pathogen strategies is discussed. Additionally, recent findings on the complex interaction of influenza viruses and A. fumigatus alone as well as influenza viruses and A. fumigatus with host cells will be presented.

​