Streptococcus pneumoniae strain-dependent lung inflammatory responses in a murine model of pneumococcal pneumonia

Objective The inherent properties of an invading bacterium may influence the cytokine profile that is ultimately produced. We determined the alterations in proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) expressions in lung tissues within the first 48 h after infection in mice with pneumonia induced by direct intratracheal inoculation of five different pneumococcal strains.