Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

Creola bodies in infancy with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis predict the development of asthma

Yumi Yamada1, Shigemi Yoshihara

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan. yu-yama@dokkyomed.ac.jp

Allergology International : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Allergology
|September 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Creola bodies (CrBs) in sputum indicate respiratory damage. In infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, CrBs are linked to developing recurrent wheezing and asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pulmonology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Creola bodies (CrBs) in sputum signify respiratory epithelial damage.
  • CrBs are specifically observed in bronchial asthma.
  • The role of CrBs in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and subsequent asthma development requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and clinical significance of CrBs in infants diagnosed with acute RSV bronchiolitis.
  • To determine if CrBs in infants with RSV bronchiolitis are associated with the later development of recurrent wheezing and asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Sputum samples were collected from 33 infants hospitalized with acute RSV bronchiolitis.
  • Samples were analyzed for the presence of CrBs, categorizing infants into RSV-CrB and RSV-non-CrB groups.
  • Sputum concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and neutrophil elastase (NE) were compared; patient history of wheeze and asthma was tracked for 5 years post-discharge.

Main Results:

  • CrBs were detected in 69.7% of infants with RSV bronchiolitis.
  • No significant differences in ECP or NE levels were found between the RSV-CrB and RSV-non-CrB groups.
  • The presence of CrBs during RSV bronchiolitis was significantly associated with the development of recurrent wheezing and asthma at both 2 and 5 years post-discharge (RR 3.09 and 7.00, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • A high prevalence of CrBs is observed in infants suffering from RSV bronchiolitis.
  • The presence of CrBs in this cohort is a notable predictor of progression to recurrent wheezing and asthma.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...