Rhinoviruses Infect the Lower Airways

Abstract

Rhinoviruses are the major cause of the common cold and a trigger of acute asthma exacerbations. Whether these exacerbations result from direct infection of the lower airway or from indirect mechanisms consequent on infection of the upper airway alone is currently unknown. Lower respiratory infection was investigated in vitro by exposing primary human bronchial epithelial cells to rhinoviruses and in vivo after experimental upper respiratory infection of human volunteers. Bronchial infection was confirmed by both approaches. Furthermore, rhinoviruses induced production of interleukin-6, -8, and -16 and RANTES and were cytotoxic to cultured respiratory epithelium. This evidence strongly supports a direct lower respiratory epithelial reaction as the initial event in the induction of rhinovirus-mediated asthma exacerbations. The frequency of infection and the nature of the inflammatory response observed are similar to those of the upper respiratory tract, suggesting that rhinovirus infections may be one of the most important causes of lower in addition to upper respiratory disease.

Global Distribution of Novel Rhinovirus Genotype

“…Large community surveys, including the Virus Watch studies of the 1960-1970s (5), have shed light on some aspects of HRV biology and epidemiology. HRVs were also observed in LRTIs soon after their recognition (3), and data supporting a causative association have accumulated over the past decade (6,7). HRVs have also been implicated in exacerbations of asthma and chronic bronchitis and are increasingly reported in LRTIs of infants, elderly persons, and immunocompromised patients (4).…”

Increased Cytokine Response Of Rhinovirus-Infected Airway Epithelial Cells In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Several studies attest to the ability of RV to infect the lower airways, supporting the notion of RV involvement in COPD exacerbations (9)(10)(11). RV readily infects airway epithelial cells from normal subjects in vitro, inducing the expression of such inflammatory mediators as IL-8, GRO-a, ENA-78, IL-6, and TNF-a (12)(13)(14)(15).…”

Bronquiolite aguda por rinovírus em lactentes jovens

“…11,[21][22][23] It is essential for understanding of physiopathological mechanisms of this disease to answer the question of whether RV can cause AB by establishing a lower airway infection or if it is associated with the condition by indirect mechanisms. Papadopoulos et al 13 demonstrated that RV is capable of causing lower airway infection in healthy adults and those with asthma.…”

“…[9][10] Furthermore, upper airway infections by this virus have been associated with episodes of asthma exacerbation in older children and adults. [11][12] Nevertheless, Papadopoulos et al 13 demonstrated that RV may also cause lower airway infections. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between RV infection and wheezing in infants.…”