Open AccessVirus/Allergen Interaction in Asthma Exacerbation
Author(s) -
James E. Gern
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
annals of the american thoracic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 2329-6933
pISSN - 2325-6621
DOI - 10.1513/annalsats.201503-153aw
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , exacerbation , asthma exacerbations , allergen , immunology , virus , virology , allergy
Allergy and viral respiratory infections have long been recognized as two of the most important risk factors for exacerbations of asthma. These observations have raised questions regarding potential interactions between these two important risk factors. For example, does allergy diminish the antiviral response, thereby promoting exacerbations of asthma? Alternately, do viral respiratory infections potentiate ongoing allergic inflammation in the airway? The answers to these questions are likely to have implications regarding the prevention and treatment of exacerbations of asthma. This article reviews that clinical evidence linking viral infections and allergy to exacerbations of asthma, reviews potential interactions between these two risk factors, and discusses possible application of new insights in virus/allergen interactions to the prevention and treatment of exacerbations of asthma.