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Atypical bacteria and macrolides in asthma

Paraskevi Xepapadaki1, Ioanna Koutsoumpari, Vasiliki Papaevagelou

  • 1Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|June 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections may play a role in asthma development and exacerbations. Further research is needed to confirm their clinical significance in airway diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are common respiratory pathogens.
  • These atypical bacteria are implicated in acute upper and lower airway illnesses.
  • Evidence suggests a potential role in asthma development and exacerbations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking Chlamydophila and Mycoplasma infections to asthma.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which these pathogens may influence asthma.
  • To assess the current understanding of these infections in asthma pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Chlamydophila/Mycoplasma and asthma.
  • Analysis of data on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.
  • Examination of diagnostic challenges in atypical bacterial infections.

Main Results:

  • Atypical bacterial infections can increase airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.
  • These mechanisms are associated with asthma exacerbations in patients with existing asthma.
  • The role of these infections in the initial development of asthma remains less clear.

Conclusions:

  • Chlamydophila and Mycoplasma infections are potential contributors to asthma exacerbations.
  • More robust evidence is required to establish a definitive causative link in asthma development.
  • Diagnostic difficulties hinder a complete understanding of their impact on asthma.

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