Inhibitory Effect of a Protease Inhibitor, Leupeptin, on the Development of Influenza Pneumonia, Mediated by Concomitant Bacteria

Abstract

The protease inhibitor leupeptin prevented multiple step replication of an influenza virus (A/swine/1976/31, H1N1) mediated by staphyloccoccal proteases. It also suppressed virus replication and development of fatal pneumonia in mice co-infected with the virus and Staphylococcus aureus.