IL5RA and respiratory tract infectious disorder: Furthermore therapy with benralizumab – which causes more profound eosinophil depletion, besides effects on other IL-5R-expressing cell types – is associated with a significant threefold increased incidence of respiratory infections, consistent with an antibacterial role of eosinophils, though the situation is likely complex due to the opposing effects of eosinophil and bacteria-induced mucus plugging40.