In asymptomatic one-month-old neonates colonization of the airways with one or more of the pathogens S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, was associated with increased risk of a first wheezy episode, persistent wheeze, acute exacerbation of wheeze, increased blood eosinophil counts and total IgE and increased risk of developing asthma by the age of five years. This evidence concerns the gene IGHE and asthma.