Interaction between respiratory microbiota and RSV or HRV: effects on lower respiratory infections in young children

Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) and human rhinovirus(HRV) are the most common pathogenscausing lower respiratory infectionsin young children throughout the world, which often lead to development of bronchiolitis and asthma.It is known that respiratory microbiota plays an important role in respiratory health and diseases and its interaction with RSV or HRV can affect susceptibility to and outcome of respiratory infections in young children.In this review, we summarize accumulating data of effects of RSV and HRV infections on respiratory microbiota, impact of respiratory microbiota on development of host immune system and susceptibility to and severity of these viral infections.Role of certain probiotics and commensal bacteria in potential prevention and treatment of RSV and HRV infections is also discussed. Key words: Respiratory Syncytial Virus; Child; Rhinovirus; Respiratory tract infections; Respiratory microbiota