Viral respiratory tract infections and asthma: The course ahead

Louis A. Rosenthal*, Pedro C. Avila, Peter W. Heymann, Richard J. Martin, E. Kathryn Miller, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos, R. Stokes Peebles, James E. Gern

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Inquiries into the relationships between viral respiratory tract illnesses and the inception and exacerbation of asthma are being facilitated by recent advances in research approaches and technology. In this article we identify important knowledge gaps and future research questions, and we discuss how new investigational tools, including improved respiratory tract virus detection techniques, will permit current and future researchers to define these relationships and the host, virus, developmental, and environmental mechanisms that regulate them. A better understanding of these processes should facilitate the development of improved strategies for the prevention and treatment of virus-induced wheezing illnesses and asthma exacerbations and, possibly, the ultimate goal of discovering effective approaches for the primary prevention of asthma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1212-1217
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume125
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

Funding

Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: L. A. Rosenthal has declared that he has no conflict of interest. P. C. Avila has received research support from Genentech . P. W. Heymann has received research support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Cove Point Foundation . R. J. Martin has consulted for Adelphi, Abbott, Schering-Plough, Novartis, Genentech, Nitoc, Teva, Coviden, AstraZeneca, Kalobios, and Sepracor and has received research support from the NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . E. K. Miller has received research support from Thrasher and Vanderbilt Clinical and Translational Research Scholars . N. G. Papadopoulos is on advisory boards for Merck and GlaxoSmithKline and has received honoraria for talks from Novartis . R. S. Peebles has received research support from the NIH . J. E. Gern is on the scientific advisory board for and has stock options for 3V Biosciences, has consulted for and has stock options for EraGen Biosciences, has consulted for Synairgen and Centocor, and has received research support from AstraZeneca and Merck . Supported in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( AI070503 ).

Keywords

  • Viral respiratory tract infections
  • allergy
  • asthma
  • asthma exacerbations
  • asthma onset
  • respiratory syncytial virus
  • respiratory tract viruses
  • rhinovirus
  • wheezing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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