Chest Email Content Delivery
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Guest Access | Sign In via User Name/Password
This Article
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Article Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Stenius-Aarniala, B
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Stenius-Aarniala, B

Chest, Vol 91, 157S-160S, Copyright © 1987 by American College of Chest Physicians

REVIEWS

The role of infection in asthma

B Stenius-Aarniala

The possible role of bacterial, viral and fungal infections in the development, exacerbation and treatment of asthma are discussed. Although bacterial allergy has in the past been advocated as an important etiologic factor for asthma, the evidence is inconclusive. Hyposensitization with bacterial antigens is no longer an accepted treatment. Bacterial infection of the nasal sinuses and bronchi may exacerbate an asthmatic attack and in some cases patients benefit from antibiotic therapy. However, bacterial infections in asthma and allergic rhinitis do not always require treatment and if treated this is not sufficient alone to reverse symptoms. Opinions vary as to the importance of viral infections. There is evidence that the immunologic consequences of intrabronchial infection with Aspergillus fumigatus may cause exacerbations of asthma.




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1987 by the American College of Chest Physicians.