Effect of Montelukast on Experimentally-Induced RV16 Infection in Asthma
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
People with asthma may have asthma worsening when they have an upper respiratory infection
due to a virus or a common cold. Leukotrienes are increased in nasal secretions from children
with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and lung washings during times of acute lung
inflammation. Experimental virus exposure in adults is also associated with increases in
nasal leukotrienes.
The degree to which leukotrienes play a role in asthma worsening is unknown.There is
information linking leukotrienes to viral infections, allergic inflammation, and asthma
exacerbation.This information supports the hypothesis that virus-induced leukotrienes
contribute to the severity of respiratory infections and in susceptible individuals, lead to
lower airway obstruction and exacerbations of asthma. We propose to use montelukast in an
experimental viral challenge model to explore this hypothesis.