Work

Infectious and Inflammatory Pathways to Cough

Year: 2022

Type: review

Abstract: Coughing is a dynamic physiological process resulting from input of vagal sensory neurons innervating the airways and perceived airway irritation. Although cough serves to protect and clear the airways, it can also be exploited by respiratory pathogens to facilitate disease transmission. Microbial components or infection-induced inflammatory mediators can directly interact with sensory nerve receptors to induce a cough response. Analysis of cough-generated aerosols and transmission studies have further demonstrated how infectious disease is spread through coughing. This review summarizes the neurophysiology of cough, cough induction by respiratory pathogens and inflammation, and cough-mediated disease transmission.

Source: Annual Review of Physiology

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-031422-092315

Authors: Kubra F. Naqvi, Stuart B. Mazzone, Michael U. Shiloh

Institutions: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Respiratory and Cough-Related Research

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases