About this Research Topic
Viral infections play a crucial role in the development of childhood asthma. Changes in the epidemiology of viral respiratory infections during and after the COVID pandemic have impressively demonstrated the magnitude of the impact of infection on asthma exacerbations, especially during childhood, as they represent the main trigger for a deterioration in asthma control. However, the extent to which infections in early childhood are a result of host-specific susceptibility, or whether infections themselves represent persistent damage to the immature lungs, has not been definitively clarified.
In this collection we aim to address the impact of viral infections on the development of asthma and disease control that results of host-specific susceptibility. Since the role of RSV and human rhinovirus in asthma development is well known, we also aim to explore what the virus specific underlying pathomechanisms are in asthma development.
We are specifically looking to address many themes within this scope, which are but not limited to:
• Identification of biomarkers for virus susceptibility in asthma patients.
• Genetic asthma risk associated with viral infections.
• Pandemic-related changes in circulating viruses and their effect on the prevalence of asthma in the future.
• The role that the lung microbiome plays in the susceptibility to viral respiratory infections of high-risk patients.
• Prevention of viral infections in high-risk patients.
• The role that viral or bacterial co-infections play in increasing the risk of asthma.
• The immunological influence viral infections have on the Th2 response in patients at risk for asthma and the identification of molecular pathomechanisms.
All article types accepted by Frontiers are encouraged.
In this collection we aim to address the impact of viral infections on the development of asthma and disease control that results of host-specific susceptibility. Since the role of RSV and human rhinovirus in asthma development is well known, we also aim to explore what the virus specific underlying pathomechanisms are in asthma development.
We are specifically looking to address many themes within this scope, which are but not limited to:
• Identification of biomarkers for virus susceptibility in asthma patients.
• Genetic asthma risk associated with viral infections.
• Pandemic-related changes in circulating viruses and their effect on the prevalence of asthma in the future.
• The role that the lung microbiome plays in the susceptibility to viral respiratory infections of high-risk patients.
• Prevention of viral infections in high-risk patients.
• The role that viral or bacterial co-infections play in increasing the risk of asthma.
• The immunological influence viral infections have on the Th2 response in patients at risk for asthma and the identification of molecular pathomechanisms.
All article types accepted by Frontiers are encouraged.
Keywords: Viral Infection, Lung Microbiome, Childhood Asthma, Rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Genetic Susceptibility
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
