What Determines Asthma Phenotype?: Respiratory Infections and Asthma

The increase in recognition and understanding of asthma as an immune-mediated disease has provided greater insights into both the etiology and pathology of the disorder. Because infections have profound effects on the immune system, orchestrating changes in humoral and cell-mediated responses, they influence both the pathogenesis of asthma and its ongoing status. Data regarding respiratory tract and systemic infections have increased our understanding of both the underlying immune genesis of asthma and the acute inflammatory airway changes that occur during asthma. This review deals with both these aspects of respiratory infections.