ABSTRACT
Asthma, Allergens and Viral Infections: An Intricate Relationship Airborne bacteria, virus, fungal spores, pollen and other bioparticles are essential for the reproduction and propagation of organisms through diverse ecosystems, and may cause or worsen diseases in humans, animals and plants. Their interaction is implicated in serious pathologies such as asthma, stroke, ischemic heart disease and cancer. Viruses and other selfish genetic elements are dominant entities in the biosphere, with respect to both physical abundance and genetic diversity. In eukaryotes, RNA viruses account for the majority of the virome diversity although ssDNA and dsDNA viruses are common as well. Viruses may cause respiratory allergic pathology in both the upper and lower airways in susceptible people, and have been implicated in other allergic disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonitis and alveolitis [1, 2]. In this chapter, we will discuss the latest developments in research and knowledge on virus-induced asthma exacerbations, COVID-19 and asthma relationship during the pandemic and consider recent advances in treatment options. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reseverd.