Childhood Asthma Inception and Progression: Role of Microbial Exposures, Susceptibility to Viruses and Early Allergic Sensitization

Inappropriate responses to respiratory viruses, especially rhinovirus, and early allergic sensitization are the strongest contributors to the inception and persistence of early onset asthma. The ORMDL3 asthma locus in chromosome 17q seems to exert its effects by increasing susceptibility to human rhinovirus in early life. Being raised on animal farms is highly protective against the development of asthma, and this protective effect is mediated by exposure to microbes. Two trials in high-risk young children, one to prevent wheezing lower respiratory tract illness using bacterial lyophilizates and another using anti-immunoglobulin E to prevent asthma progression, are already under way.