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Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, and asthma control

Krzysztof Specjalski1, Ewa Jassem

  • 1Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. specjalski@poczta.onet.pl

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings
|March 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae infections are more common in asthma patients, especially those with uncontrolled or non-atopic asthma. This chronic infection is linked to poorer asthma control.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Asthma exacerbations are often linked to acute respiratory infections.
  • The role of chronic infections, particularly atypical pathogens like Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, in asthma remains unclear.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for managing persistent asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections on asthma control and severity.
  • To compare infection prevalence in asthma patients versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Spirometry and skin-prick tests were conducted on 95 asthma patients and 58 controls.
  • ELISA measured IgG, IgM, and IgA levels against C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae.
  • PCR detected C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae genetic material in induced sputum from asthma patients.

Main Results:

  • IgA against C. pneumoniae was significantly higher in asthma patients (44.2%) than controls (29.3%), particularly in uncontrolled (p=0.001) and non-atopic asthma.
  • IgG against C. pneumoniae was also more prevalent in uncontrolled (p<0.05) and non-atopic asthma patients.
  • No significant correlations were found for M. pneumoniae infections.
  • PCR confirmed C. pneumoniae in 40% and M. pneumoniae in 10% of tested asthma patients.

Conclusions:

  • C. pneumoniae infections are more frequent in asthma patients compared to healthy individuals.
  • Infections with C. pneumoniae are associated with poorer asthma control, especially in non-atopic individuals.
  • Chronic C. pneumoniae infection may be a contributing factor to uncontrolled asthma.

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