Human T1 and T2 cells targeting rhinovirus and allergen coordinately promote allergic asthma.

Background: Allergic asthmatic subjects are uniquely susceptible to acute wheezing episodes provoked by rhinovirus. However, the underlying immune mechanisms and interaction between rhinovirus and allergy remain enigmatic, and current paradigms are controversial.

Objective: We sought to perform a comprehensive analysis of type 1 and type 2 innate and adaptive responses in allergic asthmatic subjects infected with rhinovirus.

Understanding the asthmatic response to an experimental rhinovirus infection: Exploring the effects of blocking IgE.

Background: Rhinovirus frequently causes asthma exacerbations among children and young adults who are allergic. The interaction between allergen and rhinovirus-induced symptoms and inflammation over time is unclear.

Objective: Our aim was to compare the response to an experimental inoculation with rhinovirus-16 in allergic asthmatics with the response in healthy controls and to evaluate the effects of administrating omalizumab before and during the infection.

Viral infections in relation to age, atopy, and season of admission among children hospitalized for wheezing.

Background: Viral respiratory tract infections and atopy are associated with attacks of wheezing during childhood. However, information about the relationship between viral infections and atopy among children whose attacks of wheezing lead to hospitalization is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of viral respiratory tract pathogens among infants and children hospitalized for wheezing and to analyze the results in relation to the patient's age, atopic characteristics, and season of admission.

Experimental rhinovirus challenges in adults with mild asthma: response to infection in relation to IgE.

Background: Although most children and young adults with asthma are atopic, exacerbations of asthma are frequently associated with viral respiratory tract infections, especially those caused by rhinovirus (HRV).

Objective: Young atopic adults with mild asthma were evaluated before and during an experimental HRV infection to test the hypothesis that airway inflammation before virus inoculation may be a risk factor for an adverse response to HRV.

Methods: Experimental HRV infections were evaluated in 16 allergic volunteers with mild asthma and 9 nonatopic control patients (age, 18 to 30 years).

Clostridium difficile toxin A alters in vitro-adherent neutrophil morphology and function.

The effects of purified toxin A in vitro on the shape and function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) were examined. Toxin A induced changes in adherent PMNL shape from a compact spherical or pyramidal shape to a thin and rope-like shape. This change in shape was accompanied by rearrangement of the F-actin cytoskeleton into aggregates.