Study of Clinical Characteristics and Cytokine Profiles of Asthmatic Children with Rhinovirus Infection during Acute Asthma Exacerbation at National Hospital of Pediatrics

Abstract

Background In children with asthma, the viral infection of airways is usually a main cause of acute asthma exacerbation and hospitalization. However, few studies on clinical and biomolecular characteristics of asthmatic children in this field have been done, especially in emergent countries. Objective This study described the clinical and biological characteristics of asthmatic children who had acute asthma exacerbation and rhinovirus (RV) infection. Methods Children under 15 years of age hospitalized for acute asthma exacerbation were included. They underwent clinical examination and peripheral blood analyses for the cytokine profile. The severity of acute asthma exacerbation was evaluated by Pediatric Asthma Score (PAS). Healthy children under 15 years of age were also invited in this study. Results One hundred fifteen asthmatic children were included in this study. There were 18.2% of mild PAS, 37.4% of moderate PAS, and 44.4% of severe PSA. Among them, 63/115 (54.8%) asthmatic children had positive RV infection (RV+). The percentages of asthmatic children with RV+ had increased polymorphonuclear leucocytes were significantly higher than asthmatic children with RV−. There were no significant differences of the concentrations of non-Th2-related cytokines in asthmatic children with RV− and RV+. The concentration of Th2-related cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) in asthmatic children with RV+ was significantly higher than those with RV−. However, there was no significant difference for the cytokine profile between mild, moderate, and severe asthma. Conclusion RV infection is a main cause of acute asthma exacerbation in children with asthma. The increase of Th2-related cytokines, especially IL-5 and IL-13, is a relevant biomarker for RV infection in asthmatic children with severe exacerbation.

The Impact of Ambient Environmental Exposures to Microbial Products on Asthma Outcomes from Birth to Childhood

“…The high number of asthma patients with a severe PAS score (44%) was associated with a high number of children diagnosed with HRV [63]. The researchers also found that the percentage of leukocytes in asthmatic children with HRV was significantly higher, compared to children without HRV (76.2% vs. 59.6%, p < 0.05) [63]. No enterovirus longitudinal studies from birth to childhood were available, assessing asthma development; however, studies have been done in children with a diagnosis of asthma [64].…”

“…Of the 115 children diagnosed with an asthma exacerbation, there were 18.2% with a mild PAS, 37.4% with a moderate PAS, and 44% with a severe PAS [63]. Nguyen-Thi-Dieu and colleagues found that 54.8% of the asthmatic children were positive for HRV [63]. The high number of asthma patients with a severe PAS score (44%) was associated with a high number of children diagnosed with HRV [63].…”

“…Patients underwent a clinical examination, blood analysis for a cytokine profile, pediatric asthma score (PAS) for severity of asthma exacerbation, and nasopharyngeal aspirates to determine viral infection using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 115 children diagnosed with an asthma exacerbation, there were 18.2% with a mild PAS, 37.4% with a moderate PAS, and 44% with a severe PAS [63]. Nguyen-Thi-Dieu and colleagues found that 54.8% of the asthmatic children were positive for HRV [63].…”

“…Similar to what was discussed about fungi, asthma patients can also be colonized by viruses. Nguyen-Thi-Dieu et al [63] conducted a cohort study in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 115 hospitalized children under the age of 15 with a diagnosis of asthma exacerbation and a control group of healthy children under the age of 15. Patients underwent a clinical examination, blood analysis for a cytokine profile, pediatric asthma score (PAS) for severity of asthma exacerbation, and nasopharyngeal aspirates to determine viral infection using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).…”

“…Nguyen-Thi-Dieu and colleagues found that 54.8% of the asthmatic children were positive for HRV [63]. The high number of asthma patients with a severe PAS score (44%) was associated with a high number of children diagnosed with HRV [63]. The researchers also found that the percentage of leukocytes in asthmatic children with HRV was significantly higher, compared to children without HRV (76.2% vs. 59.6%, p < 0.05) [63].…”