Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2005 Feb;25(1):45-66.
doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2004.09.011.

Infectious triggers of asthma

Ana L MacDowell  1 , Leonard B Bacharier
Affiliations
Review

Infectious triggers of asthma

Ana L MacDowell et al. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005 Feb.

Abstract

There is abundant evidence that asthma is frequently exacerbated by infectious agents. Several viruses have been implicated in the inception and exacerbation of asthma. Recent attention has been directed at the role of infections with the atypical bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae as agents capable of triggering asthma exacerbations and potentially as inciting agents for asthma. This article examines the evidence for interaction between specific infectious agents and exacerbations of asthma, including the immunopathology of infection-triggered asthma, and the current therapeutic options for management.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Gerrard J., Geddes C., Regin P. Serum IgE levels in white and metis communities in Saskatchewan. Ann Allergy. 1976;37:91–100. - PubMed
    1. Strachan D. Hay fever, hygiene, and household size. BMJ. 1989;299:1259–1260. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Walter M.J., Morton J.D., Kajiwara N. Viral induction of a chronic asthma phenotype and genetic segregation from the acute response. J Clin Invest. 2002;110:165–175. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Mertsola J., Ziegler T., Ruuskanen O. Recurrent wheezy bronchitis and viral respiratory infections. Arch Dis Child. 1991;66:124–129. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Roldaan A., Masural N. Viral respiratory infections in asthamtic children staying in a mountain resort. Eur J Respir Dis. 1982;63:140–150. - PubMed

MeSH terms