Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.
2008 Mar;28(1):1-9.
Viral Agents Involved in Wheezing and Asthma in Children
Abstract
- The role of respiratory viral infections in the development of childhood asthma remains under intense investigation. There is a plethora of viral agents (rhinoviruses [RV], enteroviruses, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], metapneumovirus [MPV], adenoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza [PIV] viruses, bocavirus [hBoV], coronaviruses etc) which are associated with asthma exacerbation. Viral infections are also closely linked to infantile wheezing. Severe wheezing infections, such as bronchiolitis, in early infancy may predispose to chronic childhood asthma. The current review focuses on the latest epidemiological reports of asthma exacerbation and wheezing and tries to delineate the associations with viral agents detected during the course of the disease. According to these studies, RV infection is likely the major trigger, initially affecting asthma in school-age children while RSV is associated with severe bronchiolitis. Both agents may contribute to later asthma. Newly discovered agents such as MPV and hBoV have also been suggested as viruses with a propensity to induce wheeze and asthma exacerbations, but more studies are required to evaluate their importance. The prevention or early treatment of respiratory viral infections in children may be an important strategy to improve quality of life for patients who suffered from asthma exacerbations.