Asthma and allergic diseases are among the most prevalent non-communicable disorders globally, arising from multifaceted interactions between host immunity, environmental exposures, and microbial communities across mucosal surfaces. Recent advances have highlighted the critical role that both infectious exposures and the microbiome play in shaping immune trajectories, particularly during early developmental windows. However, existing data reveal complex crosstalk and bidirectional influences among these factors, resulting in variability in disease onset, progression, and therapeutic responses. Key questions remain regarding how early-life infections and shifts in microbial ecology either predispose to or protect against atopic disease, as well as how interventions modulate this risk. Substantial recent studies have elucidated significant effects of early respiratory viral infections, such as RSV, rhinovirus, and SARS-CoV-2, on wheezing and asthma development, while dysbiosis in the gut or skin microbiome has been associated with both allergic sensitization and impaired barrier function. Mechanistic insights point toward the roles of microbially derived metabolites, epithelial signaling, and immune tolerance pathways, but knowledge gaps persist around the interaction of endogenous immune states, infections, and immunomodulatory therapies in real-world, diverse populations. Controversies also exist regarding the impact of current treatments, such as immunotherapy and corticosteroids, on infection risk, microbial composition, and long-term disease outcomes.
This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of the infection–microbiome–immunity axis in asthma and allergy by encouraging multidisciplinary insights spanning basic, translational, and clinical science. By integrating findings from longitudinal cohort studies, mechanistic investigations, and innovative analytic approaches, the goal is to clarify how infections and the microbiome co-regulate immune responses and disease risk. Key objectives include identifying biomarkers and modifiable pathways to refine risk stratification, and informing safe, effective interventions that target both immunological and microbial determinants of disease across the lifespan.
To gather further insights into the interconnected effects of infections, the microbiome, and immune modulation in asthma and allergic diseases, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: - Early-life infections and microbiome priming of immune responses - Combined impacts of respiratory viruses and microbiome development on wheezing and asthma trajectories - The role of gastrointestinal and skin infections or dysbiosis in allergic sensitization - Altered infection susceptibility and immune modulation in atopy - Effects of immunomodulatory interventions (allergen immunotherapy, biologics, corticosteroids, diet, microbial-derived products) on infection risk and microbiome ecology - Microbiome-derived immune education (e.g., SCFAs, bile acids, tryptophan metabolites) and tolerance mechanisms - Epithelial barrier integrity and pathways in disease pathogenesis - Longitudinal, multi-omics, and integrative studies identifying endotypes and therapeutic targets - Global health, environmental, and equity considerations in asthma and allergy prevention and interventions
All article types accepted by the journal are welcome for this Research Topic.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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.
