The role of rhinovirus in asthma exacerbations

Chlamydial Respiratory Infection during Allergen Sensitization Drives Neutrophilic Allergic Airways Disease

“…We have extended these studies to show that, although an active infection suppressed Th2 responses, infection should not be considered protective; rather, it changes the phenotype of AAD to one underpinned by neutrophilic inflammation that is associated with allergen-specific Th1 (IFN-g) responses. Neutrophilic inflammation plays an important role during acute exacerbations of asthma, and respiratory pathogens may be implicated in these events (18,19,(35)(36)(37). More than onethird of asthmatics presenting with acute severe asthma exacerbations had elevated levels of Chlamydophila pneumoniaespecific IgG or IgA, indicating an acute or reactivated infection (19).…”

Increased incidence of asthma in HIV-infected children treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy in the National Institutes of Health Women and Infants Transmission Study

“…The diagnosis of asthma and reactive airways disease reported by parents and recorded by WITS medical personnel in the first 1-2 years life of the study subjects suggested an overuse of the diagnosis of asthma as applied to wheezing infants with respiratory syncytial virus or rhinovirus present with asthma-like symptoms (data not shown). 17,[34][35][36] Many of these young infants infected with respiratory viruses, particularly those with underlying allergies, indeed go on to have persistent asthma, but a majority have their symptoms remit in a few years. The WITS program did not provide a long-term evaluation of the persistence of asthma symptoms with measurement of pulmonary function.…”

Pathogenetic and prognostic roles of bloodborne fibrocytes in asthma

“…Viral infections are considered important triggers of asthma exacerbations, particularly in allergic individuals (Murray et al, 2004;Friedlander and Busse, 2005;Khetsuriani et al, 2007). Fcs from allergic asthmatics can be infected with one of the rhinoviruses mostly implicated in asthma exacerbations (Isgrò et al, 2013b).…”