Abstract
Influenza A virus infections are known to predispose infected individuals to bacterial infections of the respiratory tract that result in co-infection with severe disease outcomes. Co-infections involving influenza A viruses and streptococcus bacteria result in protein-protein interactions that can alter disease outcomes, promoting bacterial colonisation, immune evasion, and tissue damage. Focusing on the synergistic effects of proteins from different pathogens during co-infection, this scoping review evaluated evidence for protein-protein interactions between influenza A virus proteins and streptococcus bacterial proteins. Of the 2366 studies initially identified, only 32 satisfied all the inclusion criteria. Analysis of the 32 studies showed that viral and bacterial neuraminidases (including NanA, NanB and NanC) are key players in desialylating host cell receptors, promoting bacterial adherence and colonisation of the respiratory tract. Virus hemagglutinin modulates bacterial virulence factors, hence aiding bacterial internalisation. Pneumococcal surface proteins (PspA and PspK), bacterial M protein, and pneumolysin (PLY) enhance immune evasion during influenza co-infections thus altering disease severity. This review highlights the importance of understanding the interaction of viral and bacterial proteins during influenza virus infection, which could provide opportunities to mitigate the severity of secondary bacterial infections through synergistic mechanisms.