Rhinovirus Reduces the Severity of Subsequent Respiratory Viral Infections by Interferon-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.

Coinfection by heterologous viruses in the respiratory tract is common and can alter disease severity compared to infection by individual virus strains. We previously found that inoculation of mice with rhinovirus (RV) 2 days before inoculation with a lethal dose of influenza A virus [A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) (PR8)] provides complete protection against mortality. Here, we extended that finding to a second lethal respiratory virus, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), and analyzed potential mechanisms of RV-induced protection.