Unraveling the Link Between Rhinovirus Infection and Asthma Development  

Peter Kunč, Jaroslav Fábry, Peter Ferenc, Michaela Matiščáková, Zuzana Hrabovská, Martina Neuschlová, Renata Péčová

Background: Bronchial asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children with diverse clinical presentations. Rhinovirus infections, while usually mild, can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections in young children, potentially triggering asthma development.
Methods: This study analyzed cases of rhinovirus-infected infants and toddlers to identify clinical profiles and predisposing factors associated with recurrent bronchoconstriction and asthma development. Statistical analysis was used to identify potential risk factors.
Results: Potential risk factors for asthma development in rhinovirus-infected children included young age, male sex, infection during transitional seasons, coinfection with RSV and adenoviruses, rhinovirus-induced acute obstructive bronchitis, family history of atopy, recurrent respiratory infections, inhaled corticosteroid and combined inhaler therapy, allergic sensitization, antihistamine use, and Moraxella catarrhalis colonization.
Conclusions: Identifying these risk factors can aid in early detection and optimized management of children susceptible to asthma development following rhinovirus infection, especially given the limited preventative and treatment options for rhinovirus.

Keywords: bronchial asthma, children, etiopathogenesis of asthma, rhinoviruses, obstructive bronchitis
This work was supported by the project of Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic - VEGA 1/0024/23.