New study explains why MRSA ‘superbug’ kills influenza patients

Secondary infection with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterium (or ‘superbug’) often kills influenza patients because the flu virus alters the antibacterial response of white blood cells, causing them to damage the patients’ lungs instead of destroying the bacterium, researchers have found. A new study suggests that inhibiting this response may help treat patients infected with both the flu virus and MRSA.