Association of rhinovirus infections with asthma

Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of the common cold, but they can cau se more severe illnesses in people with underlying lung disorders such as a sthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cystic fibrosis. Epidemiol ogic studies with sensitive detection methods such as PCR have identified r hinovirus infection as a major source of asthma exacerbations in both child ren and adults, especially during the spring and fall. Since rhinoviruses c ause little tissue destruction it is presumed that the immune response to t he infection may play an important Pole in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus-i nduced exacerbations of asthma. This review examines the epidemiologic asso ciation between rhinovirus infections and exacerbations of asthma and outli nes current information on immune responses to rhinovirus infection and pot ential connections between antiviral responses and preexisting allergic inf lammation. Finally, current and fixture strategies for treating rhinovirus infections and virus-induced exacerbations of asthma are discussed.