Early-life chlamydial lung infection enhances allergic airways disease through age-dependent differences in immunopathology
BACKGROUND: Asthma typically originates in early-life, and the impact of infection during
immunologic maturation is a critical factor in disease pathogenesis. The progression of
aberrant TH2 cell responses and disease development has been attributed to a lack of
infections. However, exposure to specific pathogens such as Chlamydia may alter
immunologic programming and predispose to asthma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
effects of chlamydial infection at different ages on allergic airways disease in later life …
immunologic maturation is a critical factor in disease pathogenesis. The progression of
aberrant TH2 cell responses and disease development has been attributed to a lack of
infections. However, exposure to specific pathogens such as Chlamydia may alter
immunologic programming and predispose to asthma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
effects of chlamydial infection at different ages on allergic airways disease in later life …