Studies on the effects of RSV infection during infancy on aeroallergen-specific T-cell immunity and lung function [ 2001 - 2001 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Patrick Holt (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Julie Rowe ,  Prof Peter Sly

Brief description Many infants who develop transient severe wheezing in association with respiratory infections, go on to develop asthma which can persist throughout childhood and some times into adult life. It is not known whether the respiratory infections are a direct cause of later asthma, or whether they simply function as flag which identifies children who have a genetic predisposition to wheeze e.g. because they have abnormally narrow airways. This project will compare the effects of respiratory infection in infants with the RSV virus, who contract the disease at different ages, and who have varying levels of genetic risk for respiratory allergies. In particular, it will examine the possibility that in certain cases, infection of genetically susceptible individuals during early infancy will boost the development of allergies to airborne environmental allergens (such as house dust mite) which are known to trigger asthma attacks in older children and adults.

Funding Amount $AUD 130,475.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant