Impact of Viral Infections on Childhood Asthma: Susceptibility and Pathomechanisms

Viral infections play a crucial role in the development of childhood asthma. Changes in the epidemiology of viral respiratory infections during and after the COVID-19 pandemic have impressively demonstrated the magnitude of the impact of infection on asthma exacerbations, especially during childhood, as they represent the main trigger for a deterioration in asthma control. However, the extent to which infections in early childhood are a result of host-specific susceptibility, or whether infections themselves represent persistent damage to the immature lungs, has not been definitively clarified. Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus in the development of asthma, yet the specific underlying pathomechanisms remain poorly understood. Addressing these gaps is crucial for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies for childhood asthma.

This research topic aims to elucidate the impact of viral infections on the development and control of asthma, focusing on host-specific susceptibility and the virus-specific underlying pathomechanisms. We seek to answer critical questions such as whether early childhood infections are primarily due to inherent susceptibility or if they cause lasting damage to the developing lungs. Additionally, we aim to explore the genetic and immunological factors that contribute to asthma risk in the context of viral infections.

To gather further insights into the complex interplay between viral infections and childhood asthma, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

•Identification of biomarkers for virus susceptibility in asthma patients.
•Genetic asthma risk associated with viral infections.
•Pandemic-related changes in circulating viruses and their effect on the prevalence of asthma in the future.
•The role that the lung microbiome plays in the susceptibility to viral respiratory infections of high-risk patients.
•Prevention of viral infections in high-risk patients.
•The role that viral or bacterial co-infections play in increasing the risk of asthma.
•The immunological influence viral infections have on the Th2 response in patients at risk for asthma and the identification of molecular pathomechanisms.

All article types accepted by Frontiers are encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Viral Infection, Lung Microbiome, Childhood Asthma, Rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Genetic Susceptibility

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.