Effect of Montelukast on Experimentally-Induced RV16 Infection in Asthma

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.