montelukast and Respiratory-Sounds

Approximately one-half of children with asthma present with symptoms before 3 years of age. The typical history describes recurrent episodes of wheezing and/or cough triggered by a viral upper respiratory infection (URI), activity, or changes in weather. When symptoms occur after a viral URI, children with asthma often take longer than the usual week to fully recover from their respiratory symptoms. Wheezing and coughing during exercise or during laughing or crying, and episodes triggered in the absence of infection suggest asthma. A trial of bronchodilator medication should show symptomatic improvement. The goal of asthma therapy is to keep children "symptom free" by preventing chronic symptoms, maintaining lung function, and allowing for normal daily activities. Avoidance of triggers identified by a history, such as second-hand cigarette smoke exposure, and allergens identified by skin-prick testing can significantly reduce symptoms. According to the 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) report, if impairment symptoms are present for >2 days/week or 2 nights/month, then the disease process is characterized as persistent, and, in all age groups, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended as the preferred daily controller therapy. Montelukast is approved for children ages ≥ 12 months and is often used for its ease of daily oral dosing. Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonists should only be used in combination with an ICS. For more-severe or difficult-to-control phenotypes, biologic therapy has been developed, which targets the type of inflammation present.

Topics: Acetates; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cough; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Inflammation; Pediatrics; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulfides; Virus Diseases

Most international asthma guidelines recommend that children ≤5 years with asthma or recurrent wheezing be treated with daily low- moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as the preferred controller and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) as alternative therapy. There is no systematic review comparing the efficacy of ICS versus LTRA monotherapy in this age group.. To compare the efficacy of daily ICS versus LTRA in preschoolers with asthma or recurrent wheezing.. Randomized, prospective, controlled trials published by December 2017, with a minimum of 3-month therapy with daily ICS versus LTRA were identified. The co-primary outcomes were the number of wheezing episodes and daily symptom score. Secondary outcomes included unscheduled emergency visits, need of rescue systemic corticosteroids (SC), hospitalization for exacerbations, lung function, and adverse effects.. Of 29 trials identified, six studies (n = 3204 patients, 62% males, age range: 6-54 months) met the inclusion criteria; two were at low risk of bias. Five pertained to children with asthma; one to those with recurrent wheezing. No outcomes were similarly reported in the six studies, preventing meta-analysis. Based on trials at lowest risk of bias and the largest open-labelled studies, ICS was associated with better control of symptoms and less exacerbations than LTRA. And also less need for rescue SC. Insufficient data of high quality prevented firm conclusions on other secondary outcomes.. In preschoolers with asthma or recurrent wheezing, daily ICS appears more effective than daily LTRA for improving symptom control and decreasing exacerbations, particularly those requiring rescue SC, although the magnitude of benefit remains to be quantified.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Leukotriene Antagonists; Prospective Studies; Quinolines; Recurrence; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

There is conflicting evidence of the effectiveness of montelukast in preschool wheeze. A recent Cochrane review focused on its use in viral-induced wheeze; however, such subgroups are unlikely to exist in real life and change with time, recently highlighted in an international consensus report. We have therefore sought to investigate the effectiveness of montelukast in all children with preschool wheeze (viral-induced and multiple-trigger wheeze). The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid Medline and Ovid EMBASE were screened for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), examining the efficacy of montelukast compared with placebo in children with the recurrent preschool wheeze. The primary endpoint examined was frequency of wheezing episodes. Five trials containing 3960 patients with a preschool wheezing disorder were analysed. Meta-analyses of studies of intermittent montelukast showed no benefit in preventing episodes of wheeze (mean difference (MD) 0.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.14 to 0.29; mean for montelukast 2.68 vs placebo 2.54 (p = 0.5)), reducing unscheduled medical attendances (MD -0.13, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.07; mean for montelukast 1.62 vs placebo 1.78 (p = 0.21)) and reducing oral corticosteroids (MD -0.06, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.02; mean for montelukast 0.35 vs placebo 0.36 (p = 0.25)). The pooled results of the continuous regimen showed no significant difference in the number of wheezing episodes between the montelukast and placebo groups (MD -0.40, 95% CI -1.00 to 0.19; mean for montelukast 2.05 vs placebo 2.37 (p = 0.18)).. This review highlights that the currently available evidence does not support the use of montelukast in preschool children with recurrent wheeze. We recommend further studies to investigate if a 'montelukast responder' phenotype exists, and how these can be easily identified in the clinical setting. What is Known: • Current guidelines recommend montelukast use in preschool children with recurrent wheeze. • A recent Cochrane review has found montelukast to be ineffective at reducing courses of oral corticosteroids for viral-induced wheeze. What is New: • This meta-analysis has examined all children with preschool wheeze and found that montelukast was not effective at preventing wheezing episodes or reducing unscheduled medical attendances. • A specific montelukast responder phenotype may exist, but such patients should be sought in larger multicentre RCTs.

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Infant; Models, Statistical; Quinolines; Recurrence; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acetates; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Maintenance Chemotherapy; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulfides; Virus Diseases

Episodic viral wheeze (EVW) associated with viral respiratory tract infections is a common reason for pre-school children to utilise health care resources and for carers to take time away from employment. About a third of children experience a wheezing episode before the age of five years. EVW therefore represents a significant public health problem. Many pre-school children only wheeze in association with viral infections and in such cases EVW appears to be a separate entity from atopic asthma. Some trials have explored the effectiveness of leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) as regular (maintenance) or episodic (intermittent) treatment in this context.. To evaluate the evidence for the efficacy and safety of maintenance and intermittent LTRAs in the management of EVW in children aged one to six years.. We searched the Cochrane Airways Group register of trials with pre-specified terms. We performed additional searches by consulting the authors of identified trials, online trial registries of manufacturers' web sites, and reference lists of identified primary papers and reviews. Search results are current to June 2015.. We included randomised controlled trials with a parallel-group or cross-over (for intermittent LTRA only) design. Maintenance was considered as treatment for more than two months and intermittent as less than 14 days. EVW was defined as a history of at least one previous episode of wheezing in association with a viral respiratory tract infection in the absence of symptoms between episodes. As far as possible, relevant specific data were obtained from authors of studies that included children of a wider age group or phenotype.  . Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion in the review and assessed risk of bias. The primary outcome was number of children with one or more viral-induced episodes requiring one or more treatments with rescue oral corticosteroids. We analysed combined continuous data outcomes with the mean difference and dichotomous data outcomes with an odds ratio (OR).. We identified five studies eligible for inclusion in the review (one investigated maintenance treatment, three intermittent therapy and one had both maintenance and intermittent treatment arms) these included 3741 participants. Each study involved oral montelukast and was of good methodological quality, but differed in choice of outcome measures thus limiting our ability to aggregate data across studies. Only primary outcome and adverse event data are reported in this abstract.For maintenance treatment, specific data obtained from a single study, pertaining to children with only an EVW phenotype, showed no statistically significant group reduction in the number of episodes requiring rescue oral corticosteroids associated with daily montelukast versus placebo (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.70 to 2.06, moderate quality evidence).For intermittent LTRA, pooled data showed no statistically significant reduction in the number of episodes requiring rescue oral steroids in children treated with LTRA versus placebo (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.25, moderate quality evidence). Specific data for children with an EVW phenotype obtained from a single study of intermittent montelukast treatment showed a small, but statistically significant reduction in unscheduled medical attendances due to wheeze (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.98).For maintenance compared to intermittent LTRA treatment no data relating to the primary outcome of the review were identified.There were no other significant group differences identified in other secondary efficacy outcomes for maintenance or intermittent LTRA treatment versus placebo, or maintenance versus intermittent LTRA treatment. We collected descriptive data on adverse events as reported by four of the five included studies, and rates were similar between treatment and placebo groups.Potential heterogeneity in the phenotype of participants within and across trials is a limitation of the evidence.. In pre-school children with EVW, there is no evidence of benefit associated with maintenance or intermittent LTRA treatment, compared to placebo, for reducing the number of children with one or more viral-induced episodes requiring rescue oral corticosteroids, and little evidence of significant clinical benefit for other secondary outcomes. Therefore until further data are available, LTRA should be used with caution in individual children. When used, we suggest a therapeutic trial is undertaken, during which efficacy should be carefully monitored. It is likely that children with an apparent EVW phenotype are not a homogeneous group and that subgroups may respond to LTRA treatment depending on the exact patho-physiological mechanisms involved.

Topics: Acetates; Child, Preschool; Common Cold; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Maintenance Chemotherapy; Quinolines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulfides; Time Factors; Virus Diseases

Infants often develop reactive airway diseases subsequent to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs), a class of lipid mediators that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and asthma, are released during RSV infection, thereby contributing to the pathogenic changes in airway inflammation. Many pediatric patients, especially those of very young age, continue to have recurrent episodes of lower airway obstruction after bronchiolitis treatment. This study was to systematically review and assessed the efficacy of montelukast for preventing wheezing in patients with post-bronchiolitis. The Cochrane library, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) periodical databases were screened for studies related to use of montelukast for preventing post-bronchiolitis wheezing published up to 31 December 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs using montelukast alone as an active intervention in infants up to 24 months of age with post-bronchiolitis were selected. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality using the recommendations published by the Cochrane Collaboration. The meta-analyses were performed using the Cochrane statistical package RevMan5.0.0. Four trials, containing 1430 infants with confirmed diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis, were analyzed. Patients were administered montelukast at post-bronchiolitis. Three trials showed no effects of montelukast on reducing the incidence of recurrent wheezing risk ratios (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.55-1.12, p = 0.17), while two trials found that montelukast did reduce the frequency of recurrent wheezing and another two trials demonstrated no effects of montelukast on symptom-free days. The pooled montelukast treatment group showed no significant effect on reducing the usage of corticosteroids, as compared to the placebo group (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.85-1.44, p = 0.45). Two trials showed that montelukast significantly decreased serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels, as compared to the control group. In general, the side effects of rash, vomiting, and insomnia caused by montelukast occurred in 1.5% of patients analyzed. The recent evidences indicate that montelukast may reduce the frequency of post-bronchiolitic wheezing without causing significant side effects but that it has no effects on decreasing incidences of recurrent wheezing, symptom-free days, or the associated usage of corticosteroid in post-bronchi

Topics: Acetates; Age Factors; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Chi-Square Distribution; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Leukotriene Antagonists; Odds Ratio; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Risk Factors; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in young children. About 40% of all preschool children regularly wheeze during common cold infections. The heterogeneity of wheezing phenotypes early in life and various anatomical and emotional factors unique to young children present significant challenges in the clinical management of this problem. Anti-inflammatory therapy, mainly consisting of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), is the cornerstone of asthma management. Since Leukotrienes (LTs) are chemical mediators of airway inflammation in asthma, the leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are traditionally used as potent anti-inflammatory drugs in the long-term treatment of asthma in adults, adolescents, and school-age children. In particular, montelukast decreases airway inflammation, and has also a bronchoprotective effect. The main guidelines on asthma management have confirmed the clinical utility of LTRAs in children older than five years. In the present review we describe the most recent advances on the use of LTRAs in the treatment of preschool wheezing disorders. LTRAs are effective in young children with virus-induced wheeze and with multiple-trigger disease. Conflicting data do not allow to reach definitive conclusions on LTRAs efficacy in bronchiolitis or post-bronchiolitis wheeze, and in acute asthma. The excellent safety profile of montelukast and the possibility of oral administration, that entails better compliance from young children, represent the main strengths of its use in preschool children. Montelukast is a valid alternative to ICS especially in poorly compliant preschool children, or in subjects who show adverse effects related to long-term steroid therapy.

Topics: Acetates; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

Recurrent wheezing is common in preschool-aged children, with 1 in 3 children experiencing at least 1 acute wheezing illness before the age of 3 years. These children represent a diverse group, with some going on to present with asthma at school age and others experiencing complete resolution of symptoms. The primary care physician is faced with a dilemma of when to recommend daily therapy. He or she must also answer parents' concerns, often expressed as, "Does my child have asthma?" and "Will my child have to take medication the rest of his or her life?" This article presents recent studies and recommendations that can guide the physician in approaching the child and the parent with rational management. The emphasis is on viewing recurrent wheezing as a continuum requiring a plan of monitoring that starts with the very first episode. Using background information from the parents and a history of the child's allergic disposition, one can discuss with parents the risks of developing asthma and, together with planned monitoring, prescribe appropriate management. The primary care physician can plan management by using the Asthma Predictive Index and employing specific questions for features present during the intervals between acute episodes. Together with close monitoring, the physician will have a compass that effectively directs rational management.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Causality; Child; Child, Preschool; Comorbidity; Cyclopropanes; Diagnosis, Differential; Europe; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Prednisolone; Primary Health Care; Quinolines; Recurrence; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Assessment; Sulfides; Terminology as Topic; United States

The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing in Lithuania as in the world. The prevalence of allergic sensitization is often higher than 50% of the population. The "hygiene hypothesis" proposed that reduced immune-stimulation by infections may have resulted in the more widespread clinical expression of atopic disease. However, it alone does not provide an adequate explanation for the observed increase of allergic diseases. Human rhinovirus infections are the major infections with a worldwide distribution. Viral infections of the respiratory tract are the most common triggers of acute asthma exacerbations. These exacerbations are poorly responsive to current asthma therapies and new approaches to therapy are needed. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge and clinical implications of human rhinovirus infection in allergy and asthma development and needs for further research. Recent evidence has shown that the immune responses to human rhinoviruses differ between asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects. Novel insights into the mechanisms of virus-induced asthma exacerbations support the possibility that viral infections may be involved in the epithelial cells damage, inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness as well as in profibrotic response and induction of airway remodeling. The data of original investigations support the concept that the immune stimulation by rhinovirus infections contributes to the development of asthma, when an atopic host is infected with human rhinoviruses. Early rhinoviral wheezing is the predictor of subsequent asthma development in high-risk children. Synergistic effect of allergic sensitization, allergen exposure, and viral infection was suggested in the increased risk of hospitalization for asthma in both children and adults. Timing of allergen exposure may be important in a synergistic outcome. The increased susceptibility to rhinovirus infections was identified in atopic asthma. This review also presents the current options on the treatment and prevention of virus-induced asthma. Further studies are needed in order to differentiate between the response to viruses of healthy and atopic or nonatopic asthmatic children and adults. New research data may lead to novel strategies in treatment and prevention of asthma exacerbations as well as prevention of asthma induction.

Topics: Acetates; Adult; Allergens; Antiviral Agents; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Consensus; Cyclopropanes; Disease Susceptibility; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Interferons; Picornaviridae Infections; Prevalence; Quinolines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinovirus; Sulfides; Time Factors

Topics: Acetates; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cromolyn Sodium; Cyclopropanes; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Infant; Ipratropium; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Nedocromil; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides; Theophylline

Background and aim Recurrent wheezing is often triggered by viral respiratory infections. The aims of our study were: i) to evaluate whether the addition of a nutraceutical (Leucodif®), could improve the efficacy of montelukast or inhaled steroids (ICS) compared to the single treatment; ii) to verify whether a treatment is more effective than another. Our study was biased by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a lockdown of almost two months in Italy. Methods The multicenter, open-label study enrolled 84 children aged 2-6 years diagnosed with recurrent wheezing and randomized them into four treatment arms for three months: ICS treatment; ii) montelukast; iii) montelukast + Leucodif; iv) ICS + Leucodif. Children were assessed at baseline and after one, two, and three months of treatment using the TRACK score for both the caregiver and the physician. Results Out of the 84 patients, 18 patients received ICS therapy, 22 patients ICS + Leucodif, 24 patients montelukast, and 20 patients montelukast + Leucodif. All four treatments resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms with no differences among the various groups. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that montelukast therapy appears to be equally effective as ICS therapy and that the addition of the nutraceutical Leucodif does not appear to improve the treatment outcome. However, in our opinion our study was strongly influenced and biased by the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which inherently resulted in reduced exposure to the viruses that commonly cause respiratory infections in children.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Inhalation; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Communicable Disease Control; COVID-19; Cyclopropanes; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Pandemics; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Steroids; Sulfides

In chronic asthma treatment, leukotriene receptor antagonists have been recommended, but it is not clear whether montelukast can be used in acute recurrent wheezing attacks in children.. To investigate the safety and effectiveness of oral montelukast in addition to standard treatment in hospitalized children aged between 6 and 72 months with acute recurrent wheezing attacks.. Total hospital length of stay (LOS) was not different between the montelukast and placebo groups (p = 0.981). There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of discharge time, CAS, and oxygen saturation (p ≥ 0.05).. Adding montelukast to standard treatment in patients hospitalized for moderate-to-severe wheezing attacks did not affect hospital LOS and CAS.

Topics: Acetates; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Infant; Leukotriene Antagonists; Patient Discharge; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes are increased in the airways of infants with virus-associated wheezing. We aimed to determine the effects of a cysteinyl-leukotriene-1 receptor antagonist on symptoms during an early-life wheezing illness and to investigate the factors that affect the response to this drug.. This placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized controlled trial recruited children aged 3-36 months with wheezing illness and randomized to active drug or placebo for 56 days. A symptom score diary (SSD) was kept by the children's caregivers.. One-hundred patients completed the study, and 62 (30 montelukast and 32 placebo) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the percent of symptom-free days, symptom scores, and the need for rescue salbutamol between the two groups. However, the percent of symptom-free days within the first week was significantly higher for the montelukast than for the placebo group (13.8 ± 4.1% vs. 5.4 ± 3.4%; P = 0.028); wheezing score at 7th day was significantly lower for the montelukast than for the placebo group (0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.4 ± 0.2; P = 0.002). In addition, the number of inhaled ß

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Eicosanoids; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Prospective Studies; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Approximately 30% of children younger than 3 years experience at least 1 episode of wheezing. Antiasthmatic medication is routinely prescribed, but its effectiveness remains unclear. Our study was aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment on frequency and severity of preschool wheeze episodes (PWEs).. Children aged 6 to 36 months with the first up to the third PWE were randomly assigned to receive montelukast, fluticasone, or no treatment for 12 weeks. The outcome measures were the number of PWEs, the number of hospitalizations due to PWE, and the severity of respiratory symptoms. results: There were no significant differences in outcome measures between the groups. However, tobacco-exposed children treated with fluticasone had significantly fewer PWEs (P = .01).. Neither montelukast nor fluticasone has proven effective in the prevention of PWE recurrence. Children of smoking parents may benefit from fluticasone treatment after PWE. This observation requires confirmation in larger studies.

Topics: Acetates; Androstadienes; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Infant; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Severity of Illness Index; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

The efficacy and safety of a single-dose of Montelukast sodium for treating virus-related infantile wheezing are investigated in this study.. A prospective, open, randomized, controlled study was carried out on 595 cases of infants who exhibited wheezing after a respiratory syncytial virus infection. Treatment with Montelukast sodium was provided over the course of 12 weeks. The clinical efficacy of Montelukast sodium was determined based on the clinical symptom score, tidal breathing lung function, and short-acting bronchodilator usage, as well as infantile asthma diagnosis rate change at the 4th and 12th week after the administration of the treatment. The adverse reactions were also observed, and a control group was set. The mean age of the 595 patients with infantile wheezing was 10.82 months ± 4.22 months. Among these patients, 45.9% (273 out of 595) had a family history of asthma, 30.6% (182 out of 595) had allergic rhinitis, 23.9% (142 out of 595) increased peripheral blood eosinophilia, 6.1% (36 out of 595) exhibited total IgE increase, 40.0% (238 out of 595) had a recurrent history of wheezing, and 64.0% (381 out of 595) had a family history of eczema.. After 12 weeks of treatment, the clinical symptom scores significantly improved. Significant differences in the cough, wheezing, and motility scores were observed before and after the treatment (p < 0.05). TPTEF/TE and VPEF/VE significantly improved (p < 0.05) after the treatment. The asthma diagnosis rate was 9.6% (57 out of 595). At four weeks after treatment, various indicators correspondingly improved. Twenty-nine (4.9%) patients exhibited adverse reactions, 55.2% exhibited excitation, 20.7% suffered from insomnia, 10.3% had headaches, 3.4% had erythra, 3.4% suffered from abdominal pain, and 3.4% exhibited an increased glutamic-pyruvate transaminase level. The symptoms of eczema were relieved to some extent, and the symptoms of rhinitis became less serious. Significant differences were observed in the number of wheezing attacks, annual number of days hospitalized, annual number of days when β2AG was utilized, and lung function improvement (p < 0.05).. Montelukast sodium is clinically effective in treating virus-related wheezing, and clinical application for 4 weeks to 12 weeks can effectively relieve the symptoms of wheezing, improve lung function, and reduce the incidence rate of infantile asthma. Montelukast sodium also causes few adverse reactions.

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Bronchodilator Agents; Case-Control Studies; Cyclopropanes; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Prospective Studies; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

The effectiveness of intermittent montelukast for wheeze in young children is unclear. We aimed to assess whether intermittent montelukast is better than placebo for treatment of wheeze in this age group. Because copy numbers of the Sp1-binding motif in the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) gene promoter (either 5/5, 5/x, or x/x, where x does not equal 5) modifies response to montelukast in adults, we stratified by this genotype.. We did this multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial between Oct 1, 2010, and Dec 20, 2013, at 21 primary care sites and 41 secondary care sites in England and Scotland. Children aged 10 months to 5 years with two or more wheeze episodes were allocated to either a 5/5 or 5/x+x/x ALOX5 promoter genotype stratum, then randomly assigned (1:1) via a permuted block schedule (size ten), to receive intermittent montelukast or placebo given by parents at each wheeze episode over a 12 month period. Clinical investigators and parents were masked to treatment group and genotype strata. The primary outcome was number of unscheduled medical attendances for wheezing episodes. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01142505.. We randomly assigned 1358 children to receive montelukast (n=669) or placebo (n=677). Consent was withdrawn for 12 (1%) children. Primary outcome data were available for 1308 (96%) children. There was no difference in unscheduled medical attendances for wheezing episodes between children in the montelukast and placebo groups (mean 2·0 [SD 2·6] vs 2·3 [2·7]; incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0·88, 95% CI: 0·77-1·01; p=0·06). Compared with placebo, unscheduled medical attendances for wheezing episodes were reduced in children given montelukast in the 5/5 stratum (2·0 [2·7] vs 2·4 [3·0]; IRR 0·80, 95% CI 0·68-0·95; p=0·01), but not in those in the 5/x+x/x stratum (2·0 [2·5] vs 2·0 [2·3]; 1·03, 0·83-1·29; p=0·79, pinteraction=0·08). We recorded one serious adverse event, which was a skin reaction in a child allocated to placebo.. Our findings show no clear benefit of intermittent montelukast in young children with wheeze. However, the 5/5 ALOX5 promoter genotype might identify a montelukast-responsive subgroup.. Medical Research Council (UK) and National Institute for Health Research.

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Appointments and Schedules; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Cysteine; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Genotype; Humans; Infant; Leukotrienes; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of montelukast in recurrently wheezy infants. We randomised 113, 6-24-month-old children with recurrent wheezing to receive either placebo or montelukast daily for an 8-week period. The primary end-point was symptom-free days. The secondary aims were to evaluate the effect of montelukast on rescue medication, on lung function, airway responsiveness and exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO). Clinical response and FeNO were determined, the functional residual capacity (FRC) and specific airway conductance (sGaw) were measured using an infant whole-body plethysmograph, the maximal flow at functional residual capacity (V'max,FRC) was recorded using the squeeze technique and airway responsiveness was evaluated by performing a dosimetric methacholine challenge test. There was no significant difference in changes in weekly symptom-free days between the montelukast and the placebo group (3.1-3.7 days versus 2.7-3.1 days, p = 0.965). No significant differences were detected in the secondary end-points, i.e. use of rescue medication, FRC, sGaw, V'max,FRC, FeNO or airway responsiveness between groups. Montelukast therapy did not influence the number of symptom-free days, use of rescue medication, lung function, airway responsiveness or airway inflammation in recurrently wheezy, very young children.

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Female; Humans; Infant; Inflammation; Lung; Male; Nitric Oxide; Plethysmography; Quinolines; Respiration; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

To investigate the effect of montelukast on eosinophil degranulation and recurrent wheezing episodes in post-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis.. Two hundred infants (age, 6-24 months) who were hospitalized with their first episode of acute RSV bronchiolitis were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel comparison of 4-mg montelukast granules (RSV-MONT group) or matching placebo (RSV-PLC group) administered for 3 months. Serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) levels were measured (primary outcome), and recurrent wheezing was documented (secondary outcome) for 12 months. Comparisons were made with control subjects (control group, n = 50).. At the end of the 3-month treatment period, the RSV-PLC group (n = 71) exhibited significantly elevated EDN levels (P < .0001), and the RSV-MONT group (n = 79) showed significantly decreased EDN levels (P < .01) when compared with the initial levels. As a result, EDN levels in the 2 RSV groups significantly differed at this point (P < .0001) and remained different for the entire 12-month follow-up period. Cumulative recurrent wheezing episodes at 12 months were significantly lower in the RSV-MONT group (P = .039).. Montelukast treatment reduces eosinophil degranulation and is associated with a decrease in recurrent wheezing episodes in post-RSV bronchiolitis.

Topics: Acetates; Acute Disease; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Cell Degranulation; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; Eosinophils; Humans; Infant; Quinolines; Recurrence; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Sulfides

Exercise-induced wheeze (EIW) is common. Several treatment options exist. Patients with low fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (F(E)NO) are unlikely to be steroid-responsive and might benefit from non-steroidal therapies. We assessed: the efficacy of cromoglycate, formoterol and montelukast in patients with EIW and low F(E)NO (<35 ppb) in a randomized cross-over trial, and the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroid in a high F(E)NO (>35 ppb) group.. Patients had EIW and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to mannitol and/or exercise. Those with low F(E)NO (n = 19) received cromoglycate (20 mg inh. bd + before challenge tests), formoterol (12 microg inh. bd + before challenge tests) and montelukast (10 mg p.o. od), each for 2 weeks. Those with high F(E)NO (n = 20) took inhaled fluticasone (500 microg) daily for 4 weeks. Primary end-points were: 50% reduction in maximum FEV(1) %fall (clinical protection) and decrease in AHR to mannitol.. In patients with low F(E)NO, cromoglycate, formoterol and montelukast significantly decreased AHR to mannitol in 63%, 61% and 47% of patients, respectively. In this group, the magnitude of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was significantly reduced with montelukast and formoterol; between-treatment differences were not significant. Of 6/19 with low F(E)NO and EIB, protection occurred in 67% (cromoglycate), 83% (formoterol) and 50% (montelukast), respectively. In the high F(E)NO group, AHR to mannitol and EIB decreased significantly with fluticasone (P < 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively), and protection occurred in 7/8 (88%) with EIB.. In patients with EIW and low F(E)NO, the number of 'responders' to cromoglycate, formoterol and montelukast was similar. In a high F(E)NO population the response to inhaled corticosteroid was highly significant and comparable to previous studies.

Topics: Acetates; Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Aged; Androstadienes; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma, Exercise-Induced; Bronchoconstriction; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Cromolyn Sodium; Cyclopropanes; Ethanolamines; Exercise; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Formoterol Fumarate; Humans; Male; Mannitol; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides; Young Adult

To examine parent-reported signs and symptoms as antecedents of wheezing in preschool children with previous moderate to severe wheezing episodes, and to determine the predictive capacity of these symptom patterns for wheezing events.. Parents (n = 238) of children age 12 to 59 months with moderate-to-severe intermittent wheezing enrolled in a year-long clinical trial completed surveys that captured signs and symptoms at the start of a respiratory tract illness (RTI). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value (PPV) for each symptom leading to wheezing during that RTI were calculated.. The most commonly reported first symptom categories during the first RTI were "nose symptoms" (41%), "significant cough" (29%), and "insignificant cough" (13%). The most reliable predictor of subsequent wheezing was significant cough, which had a specificity of 78% and a PPV of 74% for predicting wheezing.. Significant cough is the most reliable antecedent of wheezing during an RTI. It may be useful to consider individualized symptom patterns as a component of management plans intended to minimize wheezing episodes.

Topics: Acetates; Adult; Albuterol; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthenia; Bronchodilator Agents; Budesonide; Causality; Child, Preschool; Cough; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Infant; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sensitivity and Specificity; Socioeconomic Factors; Sulfides; Surveys and Questionnaires

To evaluate the long-term effect of montelukast on symptoms of cough and wheeze following RSV bronchiolitis.. Fifty eight patients (aged < or = 24 months) hospitalized with a first episode of RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled in this double blind prospective randomized trial comparing montelukast (n = 31) vs placebo (n = 27).. During the 3-month treatment period, there were no statistical significant differences between the two groups for symptom-free days and nights (48.5 [interquartile range 33.0.0-66.0] for montelukast vs 57.0 [29.0-71.0] for placebo p = 0.415) nor disease-free days and nights (44.5 days [26.0-54.0] vs 53.0 [22.3-71.0]; p = 0.266). During the 1 year follow-up, there were 41 exacerbations in the montelukast group vs 54 exacerbations in the placebo group (p = 0.57). Time to first exacerbation was not different. Number of unscheduled visits and need to start inhaled steroids were comparable in the two groups.. Treatment with montelukast after hospital admission for RSV bronchiolitis in children younger than 2 years of age did not reduce symptoms of cough and wheeze. We cannot exclude that a subgroup of children may, however, benefit from this treatment.

Topics: Acetates; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Bronchodilator Agents; Chi-Square Distribution; Cough; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Prospective Studies; Quinolines; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Statistics, Nonparametric; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Acute wheezing illnesses in preschoolers require better management strategies to reduce morbidity.. We sought to examine the effectiveness of episodic use of an inhaled corticosteroid and a leukotriene receptor antagonist in preschoolers with intermittent wheezing.. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-month trial, 238 children aged 12 to 59 months with moderate-to-severe intermittent wheezing received 7 days of either budesonide inhalation suspension (1 mg twice daily), montelukast (4 mg daily), or placebo in addition to albuterol with each identified respiratory tract illness (RTI). Proportion of episode-free days (EFDs) during the 12-month trial was the primary outcome.. The 3 treatment groups did not differ in proportions of EFDs, with adjusted mean EFDs of 76% (95% CI, 70% to 81%) for budesonide, 73% (95% CI, 66% to 79%) for montelukast, and 74% (95% CI, 65% to 81%) for conventional therapy (P = .66). The 3 groups did not differ in oral corticosteroid use, health care use, quality of life, or linear growth. However, during RTIs, budesonide and montelukast therapy led to modest reductions in trouble breathing (38% [P = .003] and 37% [P = .003], respectively) and interference with activity scores (32% [P = .01] and 40% [P = .001], respectively) that were most evident in those with positive asthma predictive indices.. In preschool children with moderate-to-severe intermittent wheezing, episodic use of either budesonide or montelukast early in RTIs, when added to albuterol, did not increase the proportion of EFDs or decrease oral corticosteroid use over a 12-month period. However, indicators of severity of acute illnesses were reduced, particularly in children with positive asthma predictive indices.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Inhalation; Albuterol; Bronchodilator Agents; Budesonide; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Infant; Leukotriene Antagonists; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Sulfides

In cystic fibrosis (CF), the inflammatory process contributes to progressive lung tissue damage. Cysteinyl leukotrienes have been found in the sputum of patients with CF at high concentrations sufficient to cause potent biological effects.. To evaluate the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment with montelukast sodium in patients with CF.. Twenty-six patients aged 6 to 18 years were recruited to this 20-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Patients received montelukast or placebo for 8 weeks in addition to their regular CF treatment. Before and after treatment, findings from spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, and the clinical wheezing and cough scales were evaluated. At the same time, serum and sputum samples were obtained for the measurement of eosinophil cationic protein, interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-8, and myeloperoxidase levels.. Twenty-three patients completed the study. Compared with placebo use, montelukast treatment significantly improved forced expiratory volume in I second, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% and significantly decreased cough and wheezing scale scores (P < .001 for all). There were no significant changes in vital capacity, thoracic gas volume, airway resistance, and residual volume after treatment. Compared with placebo use, montelukast treatment decreased serum and sputum levels of eosinophil cationic protein and IL-8, decreased sputum levels of myeloperoxidase, and increased serum and sputum levels of IL-10 (P < .001 for all).. Montelukast may have measurable anti-inflammatory properties in patients with CF.

Topics: Acetates; Adolescent; Airway Resistance; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Child; Cough; Cross-Over Studies; Cyclopropanes; Cystic Fibrosis; Double-Blind Method; Eosinophil Cationic Protein; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-8; Male; Peroxidase; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sputum; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Australia; Cyclopropanes; Humans; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

We sought to identify predictors of asthma development following severe early childhood RSV bronchiolitis. Different definitions of asthma were also compared.. This longitudinal, observational study (N = 343) followed patients (<2 years old) from a placebo-controlled trial (N = 979) of montelukast after RSV bronchiolitis to identify clinical, demographic, or biochemical predictors of asthma, atopic disorders, and chronic asthma therapy use at 6 years of age (Clinical Trials Registry Number: NCT01140048). Asthma (primary definition) was based on parental identification of wheeze at 6 AND 12 months before 6 years of age; definitions based on physician diagnosis as well as parental identification of wheeze at 6 OR 12 months (to consider seasonal effect) were also assessed. Post-hoc analyses evaluated agreement among asthma diagnosis criteria.. Prevalence of asthma (primary definition by parental identification), asthma (physician diagnosis), atopic disorders, and chronic asthma therapy use (parental identification) was 6.1%, 22.4%, 36.2%, and 14.5%, respectively. Predictors for asthma (primary definition) included male gender, a relative with asthma, and RAST positive for dog dander; for physician diagnosis of asthma, high severity score for RSV bronchiolitis, high respiratory rate, and asthma diagnosis before enrollment. Predictors of atopic disorders included allergic rhinitis before enrollment, a relative with asthma, and the plasma biomarkers IL-5, IL-16, and IL-18. Predictors of chronic asthma therapy use included asthma diagnosis before enrollment and geographic region (Europe and Africa). Only 42% of patients with asthma (primary definition) also met the asthma definition by physician diagnosis and chronic asthma therapy use.. Among children with early RSV bronchiolitis, hereditary factors (i.e., having a relative with asthma) and RSV bronchiolitis severity were predictors of asthma and atopic disorders at 6 years of age. Of interest, there was poor agreement among the asthma definitions evaluated. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1382-1392. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics: Acetates; Animals; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Dander; Dogs; Europe; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Infant; Interleukin-16; Interleukin-18; Interleukin-5; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical History Taking; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Quinolines; Respiratory Rate; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Rhinitis, Allergic; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Sulfides

Since the publication of the European Respiratory Society Task Force report in 2008, significant new evidence has become available on the classification and management of preschool wheezing disorders. In this report, an international consensus group reviews this new evidence and proposes some modifications to the recommendations made in 2008. Specifically, the consensus group acknowledges that wheeze patterns in young children vary over time and with treatment, rendering the distinction between episodic viral wheeze and multiple-trigger wheeze unclear in many patients. Inhaled corticosteroids remain first-line treatment for multiple-trigger wheeze, but may also be considered in patients with episodic viral wheeze with frequent or severe episodes, or when the clinician suspects that interval symptoms are being under reported. Any controller therapy should be viewed as a treatment trial, with scheduled close follow-up to monitor treatment effect. The group recommends discontinuing treatment if there is no benefit and taking favourable natural history into account when making decisions about long-term therapy. Oral corticosteroids are not indicated in mild-to-moderate acute wheeze episodes and should be reserved for severe exacerbations in hospitalised patients. Future research should focus on better clinical and genetic markers, as well as biomarkers, of disease severity.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Oral; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Biomarkers; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Glucocorticoids; Humans; International Cooperation; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pulmonary Medicine; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Cyclopropanes; Female; Humans; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Inhalation; Albuterol; Bronchodilator Agents; Budesonide; Child, Preschool; Cyclopropanes; Double-Blind Method; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Infant; Leukotriene Antagonists; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Sulfides

Asthma exacerbations in young children are prevalent. Identification of symptoms or other factors that are precursors of asthma exacerbations would be useful for early treatment and prevention.. To determine whether diary symptoms and beta2-agonist use before an exacerbation could predict an asthma exacerbation in children 2 to 5 years of age.. Post hoc analyses were conducted on data collected in a study of 689 patients 2 to 5 years of age with asthma symptoms, randomly assigned to montelukast, 4 mg, or placebo daily for 12 weeks. During the study, 196 patients had an exacerbation. Caregiver-reported information (daytime cough, breathing difficulties, limitation of activity, nighttime cough or awakening, daytime and nighttime beta2-agonist use) were analyzed using general estimating equations with an exchangeable within-subject log odds ratio regression structure to identify predictors of an exacerbation.. Average symptom scores and beta2-agonist use increased significantly before exacerbation but at different rates. A combination of daytime cough and wheeze and nighttime beta2-agonist use 1 day before the exacerbation was identified as strongly predictive of an exacerbation. These methods predicted 149 (66.8%) of the exacerbations with a very low false-positive rate of 14.2%.. No individual symptom was predictive of an imminent asthma exacerbation, but a combination of increased daytime cough, daytime wheeze, and nighttime beta2-agonist use 1 day before an asthma exacerbation was a strong predictor of an exacerbation in children.

Topics: Acetates; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cough; Cyclopropanes; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Multivariate Analysis; Prognosis; Quinolines; Remission, Spontaneous; Respiratory Sounds; Severity of Illness Index; Sulfides

The utilisation of nocturnal wheeze monitoring and quantification for assessment of asthma activity was studied in symptomatic school-aged children before and during treatment. Twelve children 6-14 yrs of age with mild or moderate untreated asthma were studied at home three times: before, 48 h and 6 weeks into treatment with 5 mg montelukast daily. Lung sounds were recorded overnight by an automatic wheeze detection device (PulmoTrack). Per cent wheezing within each respiratory cycle was calculated every 30 s throughout the night and a Nocturnal Wheeze Index (NWI) was calculated for the total night. The results were compared with spirometric indices (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity), bronchial reactivity (provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 by adenosine 5'-monophosphate (PC20)) and daily symptom scores, performed in parallel at each stage of the study. The pretreatment NWI was 814+/-898 (mean+/-SD), which declined to 318+/-199 2 days after onset, and to 137+/-101 after 6 weeks of treatment. The NWI in seven healthy children was 47+/-43. The FEV1, PC20 and symptom scores improved in parallel. Wheeze monitoring provides quantitative and noninvasive information about the extent of nocturnal wheezing in children, correlates well with conventional indices of asthma activity and can assist in assessing efficacy of treatment.

Topics: Acetates; Adolescent; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Child; Cyclopropanes; Female; Humans; Male; Monitoring, Physiologic; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sleep; Statistics, Nonparametric; Sulfides

Leukotrienes were found to be raised in respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. Montelukast is a cysteinyl leukotrienes antagonist. We report our experience with the use of montelukast in three young children from 5-months to 20-months old. The first case was a 5-month-old boy with previous good health. He had prolonged respiratory distress secondary to adenovirus type 3 infection. The second case was a 20-month-old boy with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. He had respiratory syncytial virus and an adenovirus type 3 infection leading to prolonged wheeze. The third case was a 20-month-old girl with chronic lung disorder after an episode of severe E. coli pneumonia at 1 month old. She developed acute virus-negative severe wheeze after a few days of running nose and low-grade fever. All three cases responded poorly to inhaled steroids and bronchodilators. Addition of montelukast was associated with marked clinical improvement within 1 week. The three cases were very heterogeneous and differed from usual simple virus-induced acute bronchiolitis. The use of multiple drugs including montelukast did not enable any definite conclusions; however, the addition of montelukast was closely related to clinical improvement. Further studies in the use of montelukast in severe virus-induced bronchiolitis are warranted.

Topics: Acetates; Acute Disease; Age Factors; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Cyclopropanes; Female; Humans; Infant; Leukotriene Antagonists; Leukotrienes; Male; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome

Antileukotriene drugs are new therapeutic agents that have recently been approved for the treatment of asthma. Several cases of eosinophilic conditions including Churg-Strauss syndrome have been reported to be associated with zafirlukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist. So far no other leukotriene modifier has been associated with the syndrome. The case history is presented of a man with allergic rhinitis and asthma who had received intermittent pulse therapy with oral corticosteroids. Pulmonary eosinophilia developed while he was receiving treatment with montelukast, a chemically distinct cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist. After discontinuation of montelukast therapy and administration of systemic corticosteroids the patient's symptoms reversed rapidly and there was prompt resolution of the pulmonary infiltrates. We believe that cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonists are safe and effective drugs for most patients with asthma but caution is needed for those with more severe disease who require systemic corticosteroids, especially if they show characteristics of the atypical allergic diathesis seen in the prodromal phase of Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Topics: Acetates; Adult; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Churg-Strauss Syndrome; Cyclopropanes; Fever; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Male; Pulmonary Eosinophilia; Quinolines; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfides