LOWER AIRWAY RESPONSES TO RHINOVIRUS-39 IN HEALTHY ALLERGIC AND NONALLERGIC SUBJECTS

Acute asthma is considered to be a complication of respiratory viral i nfections. This investigation assessed the effects of rhinovirus 39 (R V-39) infection both on the patency and responsiveness of the lower ai rways. Subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR; n=50) and without AR (non- AR; n=46) were intranasally inoculated with RV-39, and monitored for 8 days in an enclosed environment for changes in symptoms, signs, and a irway physiology (pulmonary function, bronchial methacholine provocati on). All subjects were infected postinoculation. Significant increases in nasal symptoms and secretion weights were observed, with peak effe cts on days 2-3, Cough was a relatively minor symptom and none of the subjects developed wheezing. Likewise, there were no significant chang es in the measured functions of the lower airways. No allergy status e ffects were observed. Under these experimental conditions, rhinovirus 39 infection did not produce detectable alterations in lower airway fu nction in healthy subjects with and without allergic rhinitis.