This study examines the expression of toll-like receptors (TLC) on alveolar macrophages in mice and found that the immediate inflammatory response in the emphysematous lung was significantly enhanced in response to streptococcal infection and partly due to the increased expression of TLR of the mice. Streptococcus pneumonia is one of the more virulent strains of bacteria that causes community-acquired-pneumonia; and is frequently encountered in many respiratory infections.
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