Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians
04:03

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Published on: September 27, 2024

The role of atypical respiratory pathogens in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

B M W Diederen1, P D L P M van der Valk, J A W J Kluytmans

  • 1Regional Laboratory of Public Health Haarlem, Boerhaavelaan 26, 2035 RC, Haarlem, The Netherlands. bramdiederen@gmail.com

The European Respiratory Journal
|April 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated atypical pathogens in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Real-time PCR found no evidence that Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, or Legionella spp. cause COPD exacerbations.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Atypical pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila are suspected contributors to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.
  • The precise etiology of COPD exacerbations remains incompletely understood, necessitating further investigation into potential microbial triggers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. in sputum of patients with stable COPD and during acute exacerbations.
  • To investigate the association between these atypical pathogens and the aetiology of COPD exacerbations using molecular methods.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, single-centre study included 248 sputum samples from 104 COPD patients.
  • Real-time PCR was employed to detect the DNA of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. in samples from stable COPD and during exacerbations.

Main Results:

  • No M. pneumoniae or C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in any of the 122 stable-state sputum samples or 126 exacerbation sputum samples.
  • One sample from the stable-state group and one from the exacerbation group tested positive for Legionella non-pneumophila DNA.
  • Overall, the study found no indication of a role for Legionella spp., Chlamydia pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae in stable, moderately severe COPD or its exacerbations.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support the hypothesis that Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, or Legionella spp. are significant causative agents in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Further research may be needed to explore other potential aetiologies of COPD exacerbations.

More Related Videos

Studying Effects of Cigarette Smoke on Pseudomonas Infection in Lung Epithelial Cells09:15

Studying Effects of Cigarette Smoke on Pseudomonas Infection in Lung Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 11, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...