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Role of infection in the development and exacerbation of asthma

Theresa W Guilbert1, Loren C Denlinger

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, 600 Highland Avenue, K4/944, CSC-4108, Madison, WI 53792, USA. tguilbert@wisc.edu

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
|March 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory infections, including viral, Chlamydophila, and Mycoplasma, are linked to wheezing and asthma development. Host factors also influence asthma risk and severity across different age groups.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Allergology

Background:

  • Respiratory infections are frequently linked to wheezing illnesses across all age groups.
  • These infections may significantly influence the development and severity of asthma.
  • Viruses, Chlamydophila, and Mycoplasma are specifically implicated in asthma pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the associations between respiratory infections and the development and exacerbation of asthma.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which respiratory pathogens contribute to asthma.
  • To examine the role of host factors in asthma inception and exacerbation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on respiratory infections and asthma.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms linking pathogens to wheezing and asthma pathophysiology.
  • Discussion of host factors influencing asthma development and severity.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests respiratory infections play a role in acute wheezing and asthma pathophysiology.
  • Mechanisms of infection-induced asthma are being elucidated.
  • Host factors are critical in determining asthma risk and exacerbation, with variations based on onset age.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory infections are significant factors in asthma development and exacerbation.
  • Understanding pathogen-host interactions is key to managing asthma.
  • Individual host factors modulate the impact of infections on asthma across the lifespan.
Keywords:
asthmaasthma inceptionexacerbationrespiratory infectionvirus

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