[The significance of viral infection in asthma]

The aim of the paper was to systematize, according to recent literature data, the processes taking place in respiratory tract in the course of viral infections and to emphasize their relevance to the development of bronchial hyperreactivity and the pathogenesis of asthma. Furthermore, the pathophysiological mechanisms which may be responsible for chronic infection and successively for nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness were reported. Viral pathogens which are suggested to initiate bronchial asthma, its exacerbations and induce dyspnoea were mentioned.