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The relationship between respiratory syncytial virus and asthma

C J Knudson1, S M Varga2

  • 1Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Veterinary Pathology
|February 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in infancy may increase the risk of developing childhood asthma. This review explores the link between early RSV and later asthma development, including insights from animal models.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory diseases
  • Immunology
  • Infectious diseases

Background:

  • Asthma is a major global health issue in children.
  • Wheezing in infants is often linked to viral infections.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a primary cause of infant respiratory infections and wheezing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence linking severe RSV infections in early childhood to the later development of asthma.
  • To discuss the utility of animal models in understanding the RSV-asthma connection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and studies.
  • Analysis of data correlating infant RSV infection severity with childhood asthma outcomes.
  • Examination of current and proposed animal models for RSV and asthma research.

Main Results:

  • Multiple studies suggest a correlation between severe infant RSV infections and increased asthma risk later in childhood.
  • Animal models are valuable tools for investigating the mechanisms underlying the RSV-asthma relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Severe RSV infection in infancy is a potential risk factor for developing asthma.
  • Further research, including studies with animal models, is crucial to elucidate the causal pathways and inform prevention strategies.

Keywords:
Th17 cellsTh2 cellsanimal modelsasthmabronchiolitisimmunoregulationrespiratory syncytial viruswheezing

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