Virus induced asthma: mechanisms and management [ 2001 - 2003 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Peter Gibson (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Michael Boyle ,  Darren Shafren ,  E/Pr Michael Hensley ,  Peter Jones

Brief description Asthma is a major health problem for the Australian community. Recent studies have shown increasing numbers of people of all ages are developing asthma. Despite extensive asthma research and the development of new asthma drugs, asthma remains a leading cause of ill- health, especially in children. In many cases the deterioration in asthma symptoms is related to a cold or flu like illness, Viruses are the leading cause of these infections and are known to make asthma symptoms worse. How they do this is not completely understood. Asthma causes a unique type of inflammation in the airways, which is present in even mild asthma and can be controlled by medication. Viruses also cause inflammation by infecting the lungs. Viruses can cause severe attacks of asthma even when asthma appears controlled on medication. The ways in which virus infections do this, are not established. By understanding how this happens we may be able to design effective treatment for this problem. Our initial results indicate that virus induced asthma is different to asthma that is triggered by allergens. We plan to investigate what effect certain viruses have on the lungs of people with asthma by measuring cells and chemicals that are present in sputum. We will use recently developed technologies to accurately see what viruses are infecting these people, and then evaluate the role of treatment of virus induced asthma. This study will shed important light on potential causes of unstable asthma and the role that viral infection plays in this. It may also lead to new opportunities to develop treatments that are more effective in preventing and controlling asthma.

Funding Amount $AUD 392,545.90

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant