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Infant Infection With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Genotypes and Subsequent Childhood Asthma Risk

Christian Rosas-Salazar1, Tebeb Gebretsadik2, James D Chappell1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|March 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections with specific G gene duplications (Gdups) are linked to a higher risk of childhood asthma. RSV genetic variations may influence asthma development in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Respiratory viral infections
  • Asthma epidemiology

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of infant respiratory infections.
  • Previous studies suggest a link between RSV infection and childhood asthma.
  • Genetic variations in RSV, such as G gene duplications (Gdups), may influence disease outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant RSV infection with G gene duplications (Gdups) and the risk of developing childhood asthma.
  • To determine if specific RSV genotypes contribute to varying asthma risks.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, population-based birth cohort study of healthy, term children.
  • Analysis of RSV infection data from infancy.
  • Assessment of childhood asthma at 5 years of age.
  • Statistical analysis using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

  • Infants with RSV-A Gdup+ infections had significantly higher odds of 5-year current asthma (aOR = 2.00, 95%CI = 1.15-3.47).
  • Infants with RSV-B Gdup+ infections also showed increased odds of 5-year current asthma (aOR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.01-3.11).
  • Children without RSV infection in infancy had lower odds of developing asthma.

Conclusions:

  • RSV infection during infancy, particularly with genotypes containing G gene duplications (Gdups), is associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma.
  • RSV genetic variations contribute to differential risks of childhood asthma.
  • These findings provide evidence for the role of RSV genetic diversity in asthma etiology.

Keywords:
G geneasthmachildrengenotyperespiratory syncytial virus

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