Exacerbations of Asthma

Exacerbations of Asthma

EPIDEMIOLOGY. Acute exacerbations are major unmet needs in asthma therapy. Socio-economic costs of acute asthma exacerbations. Seasonal patterns of asthma exacerbations. Aetiology of asthma exacerbations in children. Aetiology of asthma exacerbations in adults. Differentiating asthma exacerbations from poor asthma control. Do frequent exacerbations lead to accelerated long term decline in lung function in asthma? PATHOPHYSIOLOGY. Inflammatory mechanisms of asthma exacerbations. Virus induction of neurogenic inflammation and airway responsiveness. Antiviral immunity and protection against asthma exacerbations. Lessons from RSV bronchiolitis and acute wheezing episodes in infants. Virus induction of steroid resistance. IN-VITRO EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF ASTHMA EXACERBATIONS. In vitro models of bronchial epithelial cell infection. In vitro models of macrophage infection. IN-VIVO EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF ASTHMA EXACERBATIONS. Murine models of allergen exposure and virus infection. A murine model of rhinovirus infection. A human experimental model of asthma exacerbation induced by rhinovirus infection. Lessons from human experimental rhinovirus infection in combination with allergen exposure. TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF ASTHMA EXACERBATIONS. Role of established asthma therapies in treating acute asthma exacerbations (adults and children). Role of leukotriene antagonists in the treating acute asthma exacerbations. How good are inhaled steroids alone at preventing asthma exacerbations? (prophylactic and doubling dose). How good are inhaled steroids/LABA in combination at preventing asthma exacerbations? New targets for treatment/prevention of asthma exacerbations. DELIVERY OF CARE Role of self-management in preventing asthma exacerbations. Psychosocial factors in severe asthma