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(Chest. 2006;130:1203-1210.)
© 2006 American College of Chest Physicians

How Viral Infections Cause Exacerbation of Airway Diseases*

Patrick Mallia, MD and Sebastian L. Johnston, MD, PhD

* From the Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Correspondence to: Sebastian L. Johnston, MD, PhD, Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute and Wright Fleming Institute of Infection & Immunity, Imperial College London, Norfolk Pl, London W2 1PG, UK; e-mail: s.johnston{at}imperial.ac.uk

Abstract

Exacerbations of asthma and COPD are major causes of morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs. Over the last decade, studies using new molecular diagnostic techniques have established that respiratory viruses are a major cause of exacerbations of both asthma and COPD. The most prevalent viruses detected during exacerbations are the rhinoviruses. Despite the burden of disease associated with exacerbations, little is known about the mechanisms of virus-induced exacerbations of airway diseases. Exacerbations are associated with increased airway inflammation in patients with both asthma and COPD, but many questions remain unanswered regarding the key inflammatory cells and mediators involved. Identifying the key inflammatory mediators involved in exacerbations holds the promise of developing diagnostic and prognostic markers of exacerbation. In addition, such studies can identify new therapeutic targets for the development of novel drugs for the prevention and treatment of exacerbations.

Key Words: asthma • COPD • exacerbations • viruses




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F. W. S. Ko, M. Ip, P. K. S. Chan, M. C. H. Chan, K.-W. To, S. S. S. Ng, S. S. L. Chau, J. W. Tang, and D. S. C. Hui
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Chest, September 1, 2007; 132(3): 900 - 908.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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