Related Experiment Videos
Infections and asthma in children
Michelle M Montalbano1, Robert F Lemanske
1Department of Allergy/Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53792, USA. mm.montalbano@hosp.wisc.edu
Insights
Microbial infections influence asthma development and severity in children. Some infections trigger exacerbations, while others may prevent asthma onset, highlighting the complex role of microbes in respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- The link between viral infections and acute asthma exacerbations in children is well-established.
- Emerging research suggests infections play a role in asthma inception, chronicity, and prevention.
- Various microbial agents are implicated in different aspects of asthma pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted relationships between microbial infections and asthma.
- To explore how infections contribute to asthma exacerbation, inception, chronicity, and prevention.
- To provide an overview of current understanding regarding microbes and asthma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating microbial infections and asthma.
- Synthesis of findings on viral, bacterial, and other microbial associations with asthma.
- Categorization of infections based on their impact on asthma exacerbation, inception, chronicity, or prevention.
Main Results:
- Viral infections like rhinovirus are linked to acute asthma exacerbations.
- Respiratory syncytial virus is implicated in asthma inception.
- Bacterial infections (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae) and latent adenovirus are correlated with asthma chronicity.
- Infections such as measles, hepatitis A, and tuberculosis are associated with decreased asthma incidence, suggesting a preventive role.
Conclusions:
- Microbial infections have a complex and varied impact on asthma pathophysiology.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing strategies for asthma management and prevention.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which infections influence asthma.
Abstract:
The temporal association of acute asthma exacerbations in children with viral infections such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza has been known for many years. Recently, the contributions of infections to the pathophysiology of asthma have been expanded beyond disease exacerbation to include disease inception, chronicity, and even prevention. Respiratory syncytial virus has been implicated in asthma inception, while Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and latent adenovirus infections have been correlated with asthma chronicity. Measles, hepatitis A, and tuberculosis have been associated with a decreased incidence of asthma, implying a contribution to disease prevention. The following review will briefly highlight the relationships between various microbial infections and the pathophysiology of asthma.