Various respiratory viruses are major causative agents for common cold, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Furthermore, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are major cause of mortality. Previous study suggest that the prevalence of asthma in developed countries is approximately 10% in adults and even higher in children. Thus, the medical costs for these diseases are a major burden in the many countries.
Respiratory virus infections are responsible for the most of acute exacerbation of asthma (virus-induced asthma) in children (more than 70%). However, epidemiology and pathophophysiology of the disease is not known. Furthermore, there a few effective vaccines have been applied. It may be important to better understand pathophysiology of virus-induced asthma, both aspects of the virus agents and host defense systems including acute/chronic inflammation and airway tissue remodeling should be clarified. Accumulating evidence suggested that various cytokines may be associated with virus-induced asthma. For example, a type III interferon (IFN-lambda) may be associated with rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations in children. Similarly, the cellular immunity regarding mast cell and eosinophil may be affected pathophysiology of bronchial asthma including acute exacerbation. Furthermore, to understand the disease epidemiology, the genetic properties of various respiratory viruses may be essential.
This research topic aims to review and discuss pathophysiology and epidemiology of virus-induced asthma focusing on new findings of the host immunity and virology.
Various respiratory viruses are major causative agents for common cold, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Furthermore, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are major cause of mortality. Previous study suggest that the prevalence of asthma in developed countries is approximately 10% in adults and even higher in children. Thus, the medical costs for these diseases are a major burden in the many countries.
Respiratory virus infections are responsible for the most of acute exacerbation of asthma (virus-induced asthma) in children (more than 70%). However, epidemiology and pathophophysiology of the disease is not known. Furthermore, there a few effective vaccines have been applied. It may be important to better understand pathophysiology of virus-induced asthma, both aspects of the virus agents and host defense systems including acute/chronic inflammation and airway tissue remodeling should be clarified. Accumulating evidence suggested that various cytokines may be associated with virus-induced asthma. For example, a type III interferon (IFN-lambda) may be associated with rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations in children. Similarly, the cellular immunity regarding mast cell and eosinophil may be affected pathophysiology of bronchial asthma including acute exacerbation. Furthermore, to understand the disease epidemiology, the genetic properties of various respiratory viruses may be essential.
This research topic aims to review and discuss pathophysiology and epidemiology of virus-induced asthma focusing on new findings of the host immunity and virology.