Virus Infection and Allergy in Asthma Development
Virus Infection and Allergy in Asthma Development
The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of asthma is discussed in detail elsewhere in this issue. However, in the context of this review, it is pertinent to note that protection against respiratory infections in children has recently joined the growing list of suggested mechanisms to explain the asthma-protective effects of this agent. Of particular relevance are the results of a small trial suggesting that vitamin D supplementation of atopic asthmatic school children has potential for prevention of virus-associated asthma exacerbations in this high-risk group. The underlying mechanism(s) are unknown, but an additional study linking vitamin D levels with T-regulatory cell activity in infants points towards a plausible candidate, and moreover suggests that these associations should be explored in more detail in the infant/preschool age group.
Vitamin D and Susceptibility to Respiratory Infection
The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of asthma is discussed in detail elsewhere in this issue. However, in the context of this review, it is pertinent to note that protection against respiratory infections in children has recently joined the growing list of suggested mechanisms to explain the asthma-protective effects of this agent. Of particular relevance are the results of a small trial suggesting that vitamin D supplementation of atopic asthmatic school children has potential for prevention of virus-associated asthma exacerbations in this high-risk group. The underlying mechanism(s) are unknown, but an additional study linking vitamin D levels with T-regulatory cell activity in infants points towards a plausible candidate, and moreover suggests that these associations should be explored in more detail in the infant/preschool age group.
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