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. 2006 Mar 29;82(4):578–590. doi: 10.1016/S0022-3476(73)80582-7

The association of viral and bacterial respiratory infections with exacerbations of wheezing in young asthmatic children+

Kenneth McIntosh a,b,*, Elliot F Ellis a,b, Leonard S Hoffman a,b, Tillinghast G Lybass a,b, Jerry J Eller a,c, Vincent A Fulginiti a,d
PMCID: PMC7130678  PMID: 4349062

Abstract

The relationship between exacerbations of wheezing and infection of the respiratory tract was studied prospectively in 32 young hospitalized asthmatic children. Of 139 episodes of wheezing, 58 (42 per cent) were associated with identifiable viral infections. There were 25 respiratory syncytial virus infections; wheezing occurred in 24 of these and pneumonia in 13. Parainfluenza type 2 infection appeared to be next most likely to be associated with wheezing, followed by coronavirus infection. Influenza A. (Hong Kong) was not associated with wheezing in any of the children. Infection with “pathogenic” bacteria was not statistically associated with wheezing.

Footnotes

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Supported in part by Grants AI-08428 and FR-05474 and Contract PH 43-62-477 from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

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