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Genetics and epidemiology: asthma and infection
Nathan W Bartlett1, Gary R McLean, Yoon-Seok Chang
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK.
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|August 1, 2009
Summary
Severe respiratory infections in early life are linked to asthma development. Genetic factors influence susceptibility to infections and the risk of developing asthma or experiencing exacerbations.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Respiratory infections are common in early life.
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with complex etiology.
- Genetic predisposition plays a role in immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of early life respiratory infections in asthma development.
- To examine the impact of respiratory infections on asthma exacerbations.
- To discuss genetic factors influencing asthma pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies, including birth cohort studies.
- Experimental investigation of rhinovirus infection in asthmatic patients.
- Analysis of genetic polymorphisms related to immune responses.
Main Results:
- Bidirectional relationships observed between early severe respiratory infections and asthma development.
- Asthmatic patients show increased severity of rhinovirus infections.
- Genetic factors influence susceptibility to respiratory infections and asthma.
Conclusions:
- Early life genetic factors contribute to severe respiratory infections and subsequent asthma development.
- Respiratory viruses are primary triggers for asthma exacerbations across all age groups.
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