The microbiology of asthma.
Asthma remains an important human disease that is responsible for substantial worldwide morbidity and mortality. The causes of asthma are multifactorial and include a complex mix of environmental, immunological and host genetic factors. In addition, epidemiological studies show strong associations between asthma and infection with respiratory pathogens, including common respiratory viruses such as rhinoviruses, human respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, coronaviruses and influenza viruses, as well as bacteria (including atypical bacteria) and fungi. In this Review, we describe the many roles of microorganisms in the risk of developing asthma and in the pathogenesis of and protection against the disease, and we discuss the mechanisms by which infections affect the severity and prevalence of asthma.
National Heart and Lung Institute, Centre for Respiratory Infection and MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK. michael.edwards@ imperial.ac.uk
Michael R
MR
Edwards
Nathan W
NW
Bartlett
Tracy
T
Hussell
Peter
P
Openshaw
Sebastian L
SL
Johnston
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*