BackgroundViral infections in childhood, especially to rhinovirus (RV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are associated with asthma inception and exacerbation. However, little is known about the role of RV- and RSV-specific antibodies in childhood versus adult asthma. ObjectiveTo investigate associations between RV- and RSV-specific IgG levels with asthma phenotypes, in children and adults. MethodsThe analysis included 1771 samples from 1501 participants of the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA) (530 children (mean(sd) age = 11.1 (2.8) and 1241 adults (mean(sd) age = 43.4(16.7), among which 274 and 498 had ever asthma, respectively). RSV- and RV-specific IgG levels were determined using micro-arrayed virus-derived antigens and peptides. Cross-sectional associations between standardized RSV- and RV-specific IgG levels and asthma phenotypes were estimated by multiple regression models. ResultsIn children, ever asthma was associated with higher IgG levels specific to RV, especially to RV-A, RV-C and to RSV (adj-OR for 1-sd increase in IgG levels = 1.52 (95%CI, 1.16;1.99), 1.42 (1.10;1.83) and 1.24 (0.99;1.54), respectively). These associations were stronger for moderate-to-severe asthma than for mild asthma. Conversely in adults, ever asthma was associated with lower RV-A, RV-B and RV-C IgG levels (adjusted OR = 0.86 (0.74;0.99), 0.83 (0.73;0.95) and 0.85 (0.73;0.99), respectively). ConclusionOur results suggest that the association between respiratory virus specific antibody levels and asthma varies during life, with asthma associated with higher levels of IgG to RSV, RV-A and RV-C in children and lower levels of IgG responses to RV-A/B/C in adults.