Nasal microbiota dominated by Moraxella spp. is associated with respiratory health in the elderly population: a case control study.

Background: The elderly (≥65 years) are one of the populations most at risk for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The aim of this study was to determine whether nasal and/or oropharyngeal microbiota profiles are associated with age and RTIs.

Methods: Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs of 152 controls and 152 patients with an RTI were included.

Are rhinovirus-induced airway responses in asthma aggravated by chronic allergen exposure?

Airway inflammation in asthma may represent a favorable environment for respiratory viral infections, augmenting virus-induced exacerbations in asthma. We postulated that repeated low-dose allergen exposure preceding experimental rhinovirus 16 (RV16) infection increases the severity of RV-induced airway obstruction and inflammation. Thirty-six house dust mite-allergic patients with mild to moderate asthma participated in a three-arm, parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Asymptomatic worsening of airway inflammation during low-dose allergen exposure in asthma: protection by inhaled steroids.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that persists even during adequate therapy and asymptomatic episodes. We questioned whether "silent" chronic allergen exposure can induce and maintain airway inflammation and whether this still occurs during regular treatment with inhaled steroids. Twenty-six patients with house dust mite allergy and mild asthma (dual responders) participated in a parallel, double-blind study.