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The infectious march: the complex interaction between microbes and the immune system in asthma
Terianne Wong1, Gary Hellermann, Shyam Mohapatra
1Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
|October 30, 2010
Summary
Early life respiratory infections are linked to asthma, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. New research explores microbial interactions with the immune system to understand and prevent childhood asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Respiratory tract infections in early life are associated with later asthma development.
- The precise mechanisms linking infant infections to asthma pathology are not fully understood.
- Increasing global incidence of asthma necessitates research into its causes and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between infectious agents, immune responses, and asthma.
- To critically appraise the evidence for microbial triggers of asthma.
- To discuss novel prevention and therapeutic strategies for asthma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on microbe-immune system interactions in asthma.
- Analysis of evidence supporting the causality hypothesis of virus-induced asthma.
- Examination of clinical trial data and guidelines for standardization.
Main Results:
- While respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus infections in infancy are linked to asthma, causality remains debated.
- Sensitive detection methods like polymerase chain reaction provide insights but yield equivocal results.
- Clinical trial inconsistencies highlight the need for standardized subject selection.
Conclusions:
- Understanding microbe-immune interactions is crucial for asthma research.
- New prophylactic strategies, including RNA interference and microbicides, show promise.
- Despite challenges, advancements offer hope for reducing the global asthma burden.
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