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Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples
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Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

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Persistence of viruses in upper respiratory tract of children with asthma

J Marin1, D Jeler-Kacar, V Levstek

  • 1Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Zaloaska 4, Ljubljana, 1105, Slovenia.

The Journal of Infection
|August 16, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Persistent viral infections, including adenoviruses and rhinoviruses, were detected in children with asthma. This suggests a potential link between these common respiratory viruses and the chronic respiratory condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions of children worldwide.
  • Viral infections are known triggers for asthma exacerbations.
  • The role of persistent viral presence in the upper respiratory tract of asthmatic children remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and coronaviruses in the nasopharynx of children with asthma during symptom-free periods.
  • To compare viral detection rates in asthmatic children with those in a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 50 asthmatic children and 20 healthy controls.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect viral DNA (adenovirus) and complementary DNA (rhinovirus, coronavirus).
  • Amplified genetic material fragments were visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis.

Main Results:

  • Adenovirus DNA was detected in 78.4% of asthmatic children.
  • Rhinovirus RNA was found in 32.4% of asthmatic children.
  • Coronavirus RNA was detected in 2.7% of asthmatic children, with adenovirus DNA found in one healthy control.

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence of adenoviruses and rhinoviruses in asthmatic children suggests a potential link between persistent viral infections and asthma.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association and its clinical implications.
Abstract

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