title: Infection-related asthma.
abstract: The role of infection in asthma is varied in that it may exacerbate established asthma or contribute to the initial development of the clinical onset of asthma. Mounting evidence implicates both roles with particular viral pathogens, namely human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, among the most likely culprits in asthma inception. Once asthma is present, infection, particularly viral infection, is a common precipitant of asthma exacerbations. Bacterial infections and colonization also have been associated with exacerbation and recurrent wheeze, an effect that may be independent or a cofactor with viruses. Atypical bacterial infections such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae and fungi in the case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, also play a potential role in inducing and exacerbating this disease. In addition, certain individuals may have a genetic predisposition toward viral-induced wheezing and the development of asthma. This article will discuss host and environmental factors, common pathogens, clinical characteristic, and genetic influences associated with infection-related asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis; Division of Allergy/Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis.
authors.forename: Jared I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Darveaux
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy/Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis; Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. Electronic address: rfl@medicine.wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lemanske
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers
keywords: Asthma; Biomarkers; Exacerbation; Infection; Respiratory syncytial virus; Rhinovirus