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McCready C, Zar HJ, Chaya S, Jacobs C, Workman L, Hantos Z, Hall GL, Sly PD, Nicol MP, Stein DJ, Ullah A, Custovic A, Little F, Gray DM. Determinants of lung function development from birth to age 5 years: an interrupted time series analysis of a South African birth cohort. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2024; 8:400-412. [PMID: 38621408 PMCID: PMC11096865 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(24)00072-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life is a key period that determines long-term health. Lung development in childhood predicts lung function attained in adulthood and morbidity and mortality across the life course. We aimed to assess the effect of early-life lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and associated risk factors on lung development from birth to school age in a South African birth cohort. METHODS We prospectively followed children enrolled in a population-based cohort from birth (between March 5, 2012 and March 31, 2015) to age 5 years with annual lung function assessment. Data on multiple early-life exposures, including LRTI, were collected. The effect of early-life risk factors on lung function development from birth to age 5 years was assessed using the Generalised Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape and Interrupted Time Series approach. FINDINGS 966 children (475 [49·2%] female, 491 [50·8%] male) had lung function measured with oscillometry, tidal flow volume loops, and multiple breath washout. LRTI occurred in 484 (50·1%) children, with a median of 2·0 LRTI episodes (IQR 1·0-3·0) per child. LRTI was independently associated with altered lung function, as evidenced by lower compliance (0·959 [95% CI 0·941-0·978]), higher resistance (1·028 [1·016-1·041]), and higher respiratory rate (1·018 [1·063-1·029]) over 5 years. Additional impact on lung function parameters occurred with each subsequent LRTI. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) LRTI was associated with lower expiratory flow ratio (0·97 [0·95-0·99]) compared with non-RSV LRTI. Maternal factors including allergy, smoking, and HIV infection were also associated with altered lung development, as was preterm birth, low birthweight, female sex, and coming from a less wealthy household. INTERPRETATION Public health interventions targeting LRTI prevention, with RSV a priority, are vital, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings. FUNDING UK Medical Research Council Grant, The Wellcome Trust, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US National Institutes of Health Human Heredity and Health in Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, and European Respiratory Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlyle McCready
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shaakira Chaya
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carvern Jacobs
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lesley Workman
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zoltan Hantos
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Graham L Hall
- Children's Lung Health, Telethon Kids Institute and School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark P Nicol
- Marshall Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk & Resilience, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anhar Ullah
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Little
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Diane M Gray
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Feikin DR, Karron RA, Saha SK, Sparrow E, Srikantiah P, Weinberger DM, Zar HJ. The full value of immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus for infants younger than 1 year: effects beyond prevention of acute respiratory illness. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 24:e318-e327. [PMID: 38000374 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness and death among children worldwide, particularly in children younger than 6 months and in low-income and middle-income countries. Feasible and cost-effective interventions to prevent RSV disease are not yet widely available, although two new products aimed at preventing RSV disease-long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccines-have been licensed within the past 2 years. The primary target of these products is reduction of the substantial burden of RSV-associated acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in infants younger than 1 year. However, other important public health benefits might also accrue with the prevention of RSV-associated LRTI during the first year of life. Mounting evidence shows that preventing RSV-associated LRTI in infants younger than 1 year could prevent secondary pneumonia caused by other pathogens, reduce recurrent hospitalisations due to other respiratory diseases in later childhood, decrease all-cause infant mortality, ameliorate the burden of respiratory diseases on health-care systems, reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, and possibly improve lung health beyond infancy. We herein review current evidence and suggest approaches to better assess the magnitude of these potential secondary effects of RSV prevention, which, if proven substantial, are likely to be relevant to policy makers in many countries as they consider the use of these new products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Feikin
- Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Ruth A Karron
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samir K Saha
- Child Health Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Erin Sparrow
- Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Daniel M Weinberger
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; SA-MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Fitzpatrick AM, Huang M, Mohammad AF, Stephenson ST, Kamaleswaran R, Grunwell JR. Dysfunctional neutrophil type 1 interferon responses in preschool children with recurrent wheezing and IL-4-mediated aeroallergen sensitization. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. GLOBAL 2024; 3:100229. [PMID: 38510797 PMCID: PMC10950716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Background The innate mechanisms associated with viral exacerbations in preschool children with recurrent wheezing are not understood. Objective We sought to assess differential gene expression in blood neutrophils from preschool children with recurrent wheezing, stratified by aeroallergen sensitization, at baseline and after exposure to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) and also to examine whether poly(I:C)-stimulated blood neutrophils influenced airway epithelial gene expression. Methods Blood neutrophils were purified and cultured overnight with poly(I:C) and underwent next-generation sequencing with Reactome pathway analysis. Primary human small airway epithelial cells were treated with poly(I:C)-treated neutrophil culture supernatants and were analyzed for type 1 interferon gene expression with a targeted array. Symptoms and exacerbations were assessed in participants over 12 months. Results A total of 436 genes were differently expressed in neutrophils from children with versus without aeroallergen sensitization at baseline, with significant downregulation of type 1 interferons. These type 1 interferons were significantly upregulated in sensitized children after poly(I:C) stimulation. Confirmatory experiments demonstrated similar upregulation of type 1 interferons in IL-4-treated neutrophils stimulated with poly(I:C). Poly(I:C)-treated neutrophil supernatants from children with aeroallergen sensitization also induced a type 1 interferon response in epithelial cells. Children with aeroallergen sensitization also had higher symptom scores during exacerbations, and these symptom differences persisted for 3 days after prednisolone treatment. Conclusions Type 1 interferon responses are dysregulated in preschool children with aeroallergen sensitization, which is in turn associated with exacerbation severity. Given the importance of type 1 interferon signaling in viral resolution, additional studies of neutrophil type 1 interferon responses are needed in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Fitzpatrick
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga
| | | | | | | | - Jocelyn R. Grunwell
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
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Kicic-Starcevich E, Hancock DG, Iosifidis T, Agudelo-Romero P, Caparros-Martin JA, Karpievitch YV, Silva D, Turkovic L, Le Souef PN, Bosco A, Martino DJ, Kicic A, Prescott SL, Stick SM. Airway epithelium respiratory illnesses and allergy (AERIAL) birth cohort: study protocol. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2024; 5:1349741. [PMID: 38666051 PMCID: PMC11043573 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2024.1349741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recurrent wheezing disorders including asthma are complex and heterogeneous diseases that affect up to 30% of all children, contributing to a major burden on children, their families, and global healthcare systems. It is now recognized that a dysfunctional airway epithelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheeze, although the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This prospective birth cohort aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the influence of intrinsic epithelial dysfunction on the risk for developing respiratory disorders and the modulation of this risk by maternal morbidities, in utero exposures, and respiratory exposures in the first year of life. Methods The Airway Epithelium Respiratory Illnesses and Allergy (AERIAL) study is nested within the ORIGINS Project and will monitor 400 infants from birth to 5 years. The primary outcome of the AERIAL study will be the identification of epithelial endotypes and exposure variables that influence the development of recurrent wheezing, asthma, and allergic sensitisation. Nasal respiratory epithelium at birth to 6 weeks, 1, 3, and 5 years will be analysed by bulk RNA-seq and DNA methylation sequencing. Maternal morbidities and in utero exposures will be identified on maternal history and their effects measured through transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses of the amnion and newborn epithelium. Exposures within the first year of life will be identified based on infant medical history as well as on background and symptomatic nasal sampling for viral PCR and microbiome analysis. Daily temperatures and symptoms recorded in a study-specific Smartphone App will be used to identify symptomatic respiratory illnesses. Discussion The AERIAL study will provide a comprehensive longitudinal assessment of factors influencing the association between epithelial dysfunction and respiratory morbidity in early life, and hopefully identify novel targets for diagnosis and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David G. Hancock
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Thomas Iosifidis
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Patricia Agudelo-Romero
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- European Virus Bioinformatics Centre, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | - Desiree Silva
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | | | - Peter N. Le Souef
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Bosco
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - David J. Martino
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Susan L. Prescott
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- European Virus Bioinformatics Centre, Jena, Germany
| | - Stephen M. Stick
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Custovic A, Custovic D, Fontanella S. Understanding the heterogeneity of childhood allergic sensitization and its relationship with asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 24:79-87. [PMID: 38359101 PMCID: PMC10906203 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current state of knowledge on the relationship between allergic sensitization and asthma; to lay out a roadmap for the development of IgE biomarkers that differentiate, in individual sensitized patients, whether their sensitization is important for current or future asthma symptoms, or has little or no relevance to the disease. RECENT FINDINGS The evidence on the relationship between sensitization and asthma suggests that some subtypes of allergic sensitization are not associated with asthma symptoms, whilst others are pathologic. Interaction patterns between IgE antibodies to individual allergenic molecules on component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) multiplex arrays might be hallmarks by which different sensitization subtypes relevant to asthma can be distinguished. These different subtypes of sensitization are associated amongst sensitized individuals at all ages, with different clinical presentations (no disease, asthma as a single disease, and allergic multimorbidity); amongst sensitized preschool children with and without lower airway symptoms, with different risk of subsequent asthma development; and amongst sensitized patients with asthma, with differing levels of asthma severity. SUMMARY The use of machine learning-based methodologies on complex CRD data can help us to design better diagnostic tools to help practising physicians differentiate between benign and clinically important sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Regis E, Fontanella S, Curtin JA, Pinot de Moira A, Edwards MR, Murray CS, Simpson A, Johnston SL, Custovic A. Association between polymorphisms on chromosome 17q12-q21 and rhinovirus-induced interferon responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024:S0091-6749(24)00269-0. [PMID: 38494094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes on chromosome 17q12-q21 are associated with childhood-onset asthma and rhinovirus-induced wheeze. There are few mechanistic data linking chromosome 17q12-q21 to wheezing illness. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether 17q12-q21 risk alleles were associated with impaired interferon responses to rhinovirus. METHODS In a population-based birth cohort of European ancestry, we stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells with rhinovirus A1 (RV-A1) and rhinovirus A16 (RV-A16) and measured IFN and IFN-induced C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (aka IP10) responses in supernatants. We investigated associations between virus-induced cytokines and 6 SNPs in 17q12-q21. Bayesian profile regression was applied to identify clusters of individuals with different immune response profiles and genetic variants. RESULTS Five SNPs (in high linkage disequilibrium, r2 ≥ 0.8) were significantly associated with RV-A1-induced IFN-β (rs9303277, P = .010; rs11557467, P = .012; rs2290400, P = .006; rs7216389, P = .008; rs8079416, P = .005). A reduction in RV-A1-induced IFN-β was observed among individuals with asthma risk alleles. There were no significant associations for RV-A1-induced IFN-α or CXCL10, or for any RV-A16-induced IFN/CXCL10. Bayesian profile regression analysis identified 3 clusters that differed in IFN-β induction to RV-A1 (low, medium, high). The typical genetic profile of the cluster associated with low RV-A1-induced IFN-β responses was characterized by a very high probability of being homozygous for the asthma risk allele for all SNPs. Children with persistent wheeze were almost 3 times more likely to be in clusters with reduced/average RV-A1-induced IFN-β responses than in the high immune response cluster. CONCLUSIONS Polymorphisms on chromosome 17q12-q21 are associated with rhinovirus-induced IFN-β, suggesting a novel mechanism-impaired IFN-β induction-links 17q12-q21 risk alleles with asthma/wheeze.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eteri Regis
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Fontanella
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John A Curtin
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael R Edwards
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare S Murray
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Simpson
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian L Johnston
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Xing Y, Yang X, Li Z, Zou Q, Yang P, Wang Q, Ni W, Wu D, Li G. Advancing Understanding of Childhood Asthma: Lessons Learned from Birth Cohort Studies. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2024; 66:50-63. [PMID: 38324179 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-024-08979-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Asthma and allergies are some of the most common chronic disorders affecting children, the prevalence of which has been increasing in countries and regions undergoing rapid development like China. To curb the rising tide of allergies and safeguard the health of future generations, it is of critical importance to understand how asthma inception is influenced by factors acting at different life stages. Birth cohorts represent a powerful tool to investigate the temporal sequence of exposures along the natural course of asthma. We examined recent evidence on birth cohort studies of asthma and allergic diseases and evaluated their strengths and weaknesses. Essential elements for a successful birth cohort are proposed to further elucidate asthma etiology and pathogenies. Initiating new cohorts in understudied populations with the application of advanced analytical approaches will be needed. Moreover, fostering collaborative networks using standardized methodologies should be prioritized to enable integration of findings across diverse cohorts. There remains an urgent and unmet need to further translate the seminal findings from asthma birth cohort studies into targeted primary prevention strategies to eradicate the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Xing
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xinmeng Yang
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaoyinqian Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Molecular Diagnosis of Clinical Diseases, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Molecular Diagnosis of Clinical Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiyuan Zou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qinzheng Wang
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Ni
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Dongze Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Guoju Li
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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Suaini NHA, Van Bever H, Tham EH. Growing Up in Singapore with allergies - Lessons learnt from the GUSTO & S-PRESTO cohorts. Allergol Int 2024; 73:13-19. [PMID: 37805278 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare systems across the world face major challenges due to allergic diseases, known to affect people of all ages. In Singapore, two prominent cohort studies, Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) and the Singapore PREconception Study of long-Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO), have made notable advancements to our knowledge and understanding of allergic diseases. These cohorts, which comprised of healthy mother-infant dyads recruited from the healthy Singapore population, have shed light on the complex connections between factors influencing health in early life, preconception and pregnancy, on the pathogenesis of allergic disorders in offspring. GUSTO highlighted significant risk factors in antenatal and early life, such as maternal diet, health and lifestyle choices, as well as infant environmental influences, that contributed to the risk of allergic diseases in the Asian Singaporean population. It also identified differential patterns of allergic disease in comparison to other populations, particularly the role of the microbiome in predicting atopic outcomes. Meanwhile, S-PRESTO further explores the long-term maternal and child outcomes associated with preconception health. Findings seem to suggest that prevention of offspring allergic conditions can be achieved through optimizing maternal health and lifestyle choices before conception. Both studies underscore the significance of early life interventions, preconception health, and personalized approaches to effectively manage and prevent allergies. By leveraging the insights and promising findings from GUSTO and S-PRESTO, future work can drive development of preventative strategies and personalized interventions to reduce burden of allergic diseases in the Singapore population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor H A Suaini
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Hugo Van Bever
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore; Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
| | - Elizabeth Huiwen Tham
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore; Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore; Human Potential Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore.
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Vijverberg SJH, Kampouras A, Nayir Büyükşahin H, Makrinioti H, Petrarca L, Schmidt M, Schreck LD, Urbantat RM, Beydon N, Goutaki M, Lavizzari A, Proesmans M, Schramm D, Stahl M, Zacharasiewicz A, Moeller A, Pijnenburg MW. ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Paediatrics Assembly. ERJ Open Res 2024; 10:00853-2023. [PMID: 38410713 PMCID: PMC10895434 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00853-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory health in children is essential for general wellbeing and healthy development in the short and long term. It is well known that many respiratory diseases in adulthood have their origins in early life, and therefore research on prevention of respiratory diseases and management of children with respiratory diseases will benefit patients during the full life course. Scientific and clinical advances in the field of respiratory health are moving at a fast pace. This article summarises some of the highlights in paediatric respiratory medicine presented at the hybrid European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2023 which took place in Milan (Italy). Selected sessions are summarised by Early Career Members of the Paediatrics Assembly (Assembly 7) under the supervision of senior ERS officers, and cover a wide range of research areas in children, including respiratory physiology and sleep, asthma and allergy, cystic fibrosis, respiratory infection and immunology, neonatology and intensive care, respiratory epidemiology and bronchology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne J H Vijverberg
- Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pediatric Pulmonology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asterios Kampouras
- Paediatric Pulmonology Department, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Halime Nayir Büyükşahin
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics, Mardin Training and Research Hospital, Mardin, Turkey
| | - Heidi Makrinioti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Petrarca
- Translational and Precision Medicine Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mehtap Schmidt
- Department of Pediatrics, Teaching Hospital of the University of Vienna, Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leonie D Schreck
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ruth M Urbantat
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), associated partner site, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Beydon
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Unité Fonctionnelle de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles Respiratoires et du Sommeil, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France
- INSERM, U 938, Centre de Recherche Saint Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Myrofora Goutaki
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Lavizzari
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marijke Proesmans
- Division of Woman and Child, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Schramm
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mirjam Stahl
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), associated partner site, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela Zacharasiewicz
- Department of Pediatrics, Teaching Hospital of the University of Vienna, Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Moeller
- Department of Paediatric Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marielle W Pijnenburg
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Custovic D, Fontanella S, Custovic A. Understanding progression from pre-school wheezing to school-age asthma: Can modern data approaches help? Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e14062. [PMID: 38146116 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Preschool wheezing and childhood asthma create a heavy disease burden which is only exacerbated by the complexity of the conditions. Preschool wheezing exhibits both "curricular" and "aetiological" heterogeneity: that is, heterogeneity across patients both in the time-course of its development and in its underpinning pathological mechanisms. Since these are not fully understood, but clinical presentations across patients may nonetheless be similar, current diagnostic labels are imprecise-not mapping cleanly onto underlying disease mechanisms-and prognoses uncertain. These uncertainties also make a identifying new targets for therapeutic intervention difficult. In the past few decades, carefully designed birth cohort studies have collected "big data" on a large scale, incorporating not only a wealth of longitudinal clinical data, but also detailed information from modalities as varied as imaging, multiomics, and blood biomarkers. The profusion of big data has seen the proliferation of what we term "modern data approaches" (MDAs)-grouping together machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science-to make sense and make use of this data. In this review, we survey applications of MDAs (with an emphasis on machine learning) in childhood wheeze and asthma, highlighting the extent of their successes in providing tools for prognosis, unpicking the curricular heterogeneity of these conditions, clarifying the limitations of current diagnostic criteria, and indicating directions of research for uncovering the etiology of the diseases underlying these conditions. Specifically, we focus on the trajectories of childhood wheeze phenotypes. Further, we provide an explainer of the nature and potential use of MDAs and emphasize the scope of what we can hope to achieve with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darije Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sara Fontanella
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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11
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van Breugel M, Fehrmann RSN, Bügel M, Rezwan FI, Holloway JW, Nawijn MC, Fontanella S, Custovic A, Koppelman GH. Current state and prospects of artificial intelligence in allergy. Allergy 2023; 78:2623-2643. [PMID: 37584170 DOI: 10.1111/all.15849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The field of medicine is witnessing an exponential growth of interest in artificial intelligence (AI), which enables new research questions and the analysis of larger and new types of data. Nevertheless, applications that go beyond proof of concepts and deliver clinical value remain rare, especially in the field of allergy. This narrative review provides a fundamental understanding of the core concepts of AI and critically discusses its limitations and open challenges, such as data availability and bias, along with potential directions to surmount them. We provide a conceptual framework to structure AI applications within this field and discuss forefront case examples. Most of these applications of AI and machine learning in allergy concern supervised learning and unsupervised clustering, with a strong emphasis on diagnosis and subtyping. A perspective is shared on guidelines for good AI practice to guide readers in applying it effectively and safely, along with prospects of field advancement and initiatives to increase clinical impact. We anticipate that AI can further deepen our knowledge of disease mechanisms and contribute to precision medicine in allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlijn van Breugel
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- MIcompany, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rudolf S N Fehrmann
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Faisal I Rezwan
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - John W Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Martijn C Nawijn
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Fontanella
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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12
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Sarna M, Gebremedhin A, Richmond PC, Glass K, Levy A, Moore HC. Factors Predicting Secondary Respiratory Morbidity Following Early-Life Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections: Population-Based Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad450. [PMID: 37790944 PMCID: PMC10544950 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The association between early-life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections and later respiratory morbidity is well established. However, there is limited evidence on factors that influence this risk. We examined sociodemographic and perinatal factors associated with later childhood respiratory morbidity requiring secondary care following exposure to a laboratory-confirmed RSV episode in the first 2 years. Methods We used a probabilistically linked whole-of-population-based birth cohort including 252 287 children born in Western Australia between 2000 and 2009 with follow-up to the end of 2012. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of the association of various risk factors with the first respiratory episode for asthma, wheezing, and unspecified acute lower respiratory infection beyond the age of 2 years. Results The analytic cohort included 4151 children with a confirmed RSV test before age 2 years. The incidence of subsequent respiratory morbidity following early-life RSV infection decreased with child age at outcome (highest incidence in 2-<4-year-olds: 41.8 per 1000 child-years; 95% CI, 37.5-46.6), increased with age at RSV infection (6-<12-month-olds: 23.6/1000 child-years; 95% CI, 19.9-27.8; 12-<24-month-olds: 22.4/1000 child-years; 95% CI, 18.2-22.7) and decreasing gestational age (50.8/1000 child-years; 95% CI, 33.5-77.2 for children born extremely preterm, <28 weeks gestation). Risk factors included age at first RSV episode (6-<12 months: aHR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.90), extreme prematurity (<28 weeks: aHR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.40-3.53), maternal history of asthma (aHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.04-1.70), and low socioeconomic index (aHR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.03-3.00). Conclusions Our results suggest that in addition to preterm and young infants, children aged 12-<24 months could also be potential target groups for RSV prevention to reduce the burden of later respiratory morbidities associated with RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohinder Sarna
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amanuel Gebremedhin
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter C Richmond
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kathryn Glass
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Avram Levy
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hannah C Moore
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
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Foppiano F, Schaub B. Childhood asthma phenotypes and endotypes: a glance into the mosaic. Mol Cell Pediatr 2023; 10:9. [PMID: 37646843 PMCID: PMC10469115 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-023-00159-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is an inflammatory lung disease that constitutes the most common noncommunicable chronic disease in childhood. Childhood asthma shows large heterogeneity regarding onset of disease, symptoms, severity, prognosis, and response to therapy. MAIN BODY Evidence suggests that this variability is due to distinct pathophysiological mechanisms, which has led to an exhaustive research effort to understand and characterize these distinct entities currently designated as "endotypes." Initially, studies focused on identifying specific groups using clinical variables yielding different "clinical phenotypes." In addition, the identification of specific patterns based on inflammatory cell counts and cytokine data has resulted in "inflammatory endotypes." More recently, an increasing number of molecular data from high-throughput technology ("omics" data) have allowed to investigate more complex "molecular endotypes." CONCLUSION A better definition and comprehension of childhood asthma heterogeneity is key for improving diagnosis and treatment. This review aims at summarizing the current knowledge on this topic and discusses some limitations in their application as well as recommendations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Foppiano
- Department of Pulmonary and Allergy, Dr. Von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Schaub
- Department of Pulmonary and Allergy, Dr. Von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337, Munich, Germany.
- German Lung Centre (DZL), CPC-Munich, 80337, Munich, Germany.
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Limaye RJ, Fesshaye B, Singh P, Karron RA. RSV awareness, risk perception, causes, and terms: Perspectives of pregnant and lactating women in Kenya to inform demand generation efforts for maternal RSV vaccines. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2258580. [PMID: 37807864 PMCID: PMC10563615 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2258580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes a substantial proportion of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) among infants. In low- and middle-income countries, RSV may be responsible for approximately 40% of all hospital admissions of infants less than one year. A safe and immunogenic RSV vaccine, given to pregnant persons, is imminent. In this qualitative study, we sought to understand factors that could inform maternal vaccine decision-making to inform future demand generation strategies in Kenya. We conducted in-depth interviews with 24 pregnant and lactating persons from two counties, with two communities in each county. Four key themes emerged, including terms used for RSV, awareness of and risk perception related to RSV, causes of RSV, and questions about future maternal RSV vaccines. Regarding terms, no participant used the term RSV to describe the disease. Most participants associated RSV with cold things such as cold weather and cold food/drink. Most participants believed that RSV was caused by the cold or an unclean environment. Finally, key questions related to a maternal RSV vaccine were related to vaccine safety, and more specifically side effects. Questions arose related to vaccine effectiveness as well as timing of administration and dosing. A maternal RSV vaccine is on the horizon. However, vaccines do not save lives; vaccination does. As such, it is critical to develop and implement demand generation approaches to ensure that once a maternal RSV vaccine is available, communities are sensitized and willing to accept it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupali J. Limaye
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Berhaun Fesshaye
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Prachi Singh
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruth A. Karron
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Immunization Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Salehian S, Fleming L, Saglani S, Custovic A. Phenotype and endotype based treatment of preschool wheeze. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:853-864. [PMID: 37873657 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2271832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preschool wheeze (PSW) is a significant public health issue, with a high presentation rate to emergency departments, recurrent symptoms, and severe exacerbations. A heterogenous condition, PSW comprises several phenotypes that may relate to a range of pathobiological mechanisms. However, treating PSW remains largely generalized to inhaled corticosteroids and a short acting beta agonist, guided by symptom-based labels that often do not reflect underlying pathways of disease. AREAS COVERED We review the observable features and characteristics used to ascribe phenotypes in children with PSW and available pathobiological evidence to identify possible endotypes. These are considered in the context of treatment options and future research directions. The role of machine learning (ML) and modern analytical techniques to identify patterns of disease that distinguish phenotypes is also explored. EXPERT OPINION Distinct clusters (phenotypes) of severe PSW are characterized by different underlying mechanisms, some shared and some unique. ML-based methodologies applied to clinical, biomarker, and environmental data can help design tools to differentiate children with PSW that continues into adulthood, from those in whom wheezing resolves, identifying mechanisms underpinning persistence and resolution. This may help identify novel therapeutic targets, inform mechanistic studies, and serve as a foundation for stratification in future interventional therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sormeh Salehian
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Respiratory Paediatrics, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Louise Fleming
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Respiratory Paediatrics, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sejal Saglani
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Respiratory Paediatrics, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Adnan Custovic
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
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Wedderburn CJ, Bondar J, Lake MT, Nhapi R, Barnett W, Nicol MP, Goddard L, Zar HJ. Risk and rates of hospitalisation in young children: a prospective study of a South African birth cohort. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.06.08.23289961. [PMID: 37398166 PMCID: PMC10312830 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.08.23289961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are disproportionately affected by morbidity and mortality; there is also a growing vulnerable population of children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU). Understanding reasons and risk factors for early-life child hospitalisation will help optimise interventions to improve health outcomes. We investigated hospitalisations from birth to two years in a South African birth cohort. Methods Mother-child pairs in the Drakenstein Child Health Study were followed from birth to two years with active surveillance for hospital admission and investigation of aetiology and outcome. Incidence, duration, cause, and factors associated with child hospitalisation were investigated, and compared between HEU and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children. Results Of 1136 children (247 HEU; 889 HUU), 314 (28%) children were hospitalised in 430 episodes despite >98% childhood vaccination coverage. The highest hospitalisation rate was from 0-6 months, decreasing thereafter; 20% (84/430) of hospitalisations occurred in neonates at birth. Amongst hospitalisations subsequent to discharge after birth, 83% (288/346) had an infectious cause; lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was the most common cause (49%;169/346) with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) responsible for 31% of LRTIs; from 0-6 months, RSV-LRTI accounted for 22% (36/164) of all-cause hospitalisations. HIV exposure was a risk factor for hospitalisation in infants (IRR 1.63 [95% CI 1.29-2.05]) and longer hospital admission (p=0.004). Prematurity (HR 2.82 [95% CI 2.28-3.49]), delayed infant vaccinations (1.43 [1.12-1.82]), or raised maternal HIV viral load in HEU infants were risk factors; breastfeeding was protective (0.69 [0.53-0.90]). Conclusion Children in SSA continue to experience high rates of hospitalisation in early life. Infectious causes, especially RSV-LRTI, underly most hospital admissions. HEU children are at particular risk in infancy. Available strategies such as promoting breastfeeding, timely vaccination, and optimising antenatal maternal HIV care should be strengthened. New interventions to prevent RSV may have a large additional impact in reducing hospitalisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and SA Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julia Bondar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and SA Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marilyn T Lake
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and SA Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Raymond Nhapi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and SA Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University
| | - Mark P Nicol
- Marshall Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Liz Goddard
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and SA Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and SA Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Kicic-Starcevich E, Hancock DG, Iosifidis T, Agudelo-Romero P, Caparros-Martin JA, Silva D, Turkovic L, Le Souef PN, Bosco A, Martino DJ, Kicic A, Prescott SL, Stick SM. Airway Epithelium Respiratory Illnesses and Allergy (AERIAL) birth cohort: study protocol. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.29.23289314. [PMID: 37205501 PMCID: PMC10187351 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.29.23289314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Recurrent wheezing disorders including asthma are complex and heterogeneous diseases that affect up to 30% of all children, contributing to a major burden on children, their families, and global healthcare systems. It is now recognized that a dysfunctional airway epithelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheeze, although the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This prospective birth cohort aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the influence of intrinsic epithelial dysfunction on the risk for developing respiratory disorders and the modulation of this risk by maternal morbidities, in utero exposures, and respiratory exposures in the first year of life. Methods and Analysis The Airway Epithelium Respiratory Illnesses and Allergy (AERIAL) study is nested within the ORIGINS Project and will monitor 400 infants from birth to five years. The primary outcome of the AERIAL study will be the identification of epithelial endotypes and exposure variables that influence the development of recurrent wheezing, asthma, and allergic sensitisation. Nasal respiratory epithelium at birth to six weeks, one, three, and five years will be analysed by bulk RNA-seq and DNA methylation sequencing. Maternal morbidities and in utero exposures will be identified on maternal history and their effects measured through transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses of the amnion and newborn epithelium. Exposures within the first year of life will be identified based on infant medical history as well as on background and symptomatic nasal sampling for viral PCR and microbiome analysis. Daily temperatures and symptoms recorded in a study-specific Smartphone App will be used to identify symptomatic respiratory illnesses. Ethics and Dissemination Ethical approval has been obtained from Ramsey Health Care HREC WA-SA (#1908). Results will be disseminated through open-access peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and through different media channels to consumers, ORIGINS families, and the wider community.
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