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Rhinovirus and influenza type A infections as precipitants of asthma
Abstract:
Specimens from 49 persons, 3 to 60 years of age, who were prone to attacks of apparently infectious asthma were cultured for viruses and bacteria during episodes of symptomatic respiratory infection from September 1972 to June 1973. Seventy-one of 128 episodes (55 per cent) of symptomatic respiratory infection occurred with asthma. Shedding of respiratory pathogens was associated with 43 of the 128 episodes, and 19 of the 43 etiologically defined episodes occurred with wheezing. Seven of 15 rhinovirus symptomatic respiratory infections were linked with asthma, as were 4 of 5 influenza type A (H3N2) and 2 of 3 respiratory syncytial virus infections. A total of 21 different rhinovirus serotypes have been identified from asthmatic patients during 2 years of study; 14 of these were associated with wheezing, indicating that the ability to cause asthma is not restricted to only a few types. Other viruses that were shed during wheezing-associated symptomatic respiratory infections included para-influenza type 3, adenovirus type 7, and 2 unidentified viruses. Although infectious asthma was not easily defined in adults and some older children, viruses that appeared to precipitate asthma were distributed among patients of widely differing ages.
Insights
Respiratory viruses, including rhinoviruses and influenza, frequently trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. This study identifies multiple viral pathogens associated with infectious asthma and wheezing across various age groups.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Virology
Background:
- Asthma exacerbations are often linked to respiratory infections.
- The specific viral agents precipitating asthma attacks require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify viruses and bacteria associated with symptomatic respiratory infections in individuals prone to asthma.
- To determine the role of specific respiratory pathogens in triggering asthma exacerbations and wheezing.
Main Methods:
- Viral and bacterial cultures were performed on respiratory specimens from 49 patients during symptomatic episodes.
- Patients ranged from 3 to 60 years old and experienced asthma attacks.
- Data were collected from September 1972 to June 1973.
Main Results:
- 55% of symptomatic respiratory infections (71/128) occurred with asthma.
- Respiratory pathogens were shed in 43 of 128 episodes; 19 of these were linked to wheezing.
- Rhinoviruses (7/15), influenza A (H3N2) (4/5), and respiratory syncytial virus (2/3) were associated with asthma and wheezing.
Conclusions:
- Multiple rhinovirus serotypes (21 identified, 14 with wheezing) can precipitate asthma.
- Other viruses like parainfluenza type 3 and adenovirus type 7 also contributed to wheezing-associated infections.
- Viruses appear to trigger asthma across a wide range of ages, though definition can be challenging in adults.