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Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with acute and refractory asthma

Pamela R Wood1, Vanessa L Hill, Margaret L Burks

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. woodp@uthscsa.edu

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|April 30, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is frequently detected in children and associated with worsened asthma control. Children with asthma show weaker antibody responses to M pneumoniae, impacting their health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is linked to exacerbated asthma in pediatric populations.
  • Advanced diagnostic tools, including assays for community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin, enable sensitive detection of M. pneumoniae.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and duration of M. pneumoniae detection in respiratory samples from children with and without asthma.
  • To assess M. pneumoniae's impact on immune responses, biological markers, asthma management, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

  • 143 pediatric patients (5-17 years) with acute asthma, refractory asthma, or as healthy controls were monitored over 20 months.
  • M. pneumoniae detection utilized CARDS toxin antigen capture and P1 adhesin polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Immune responses (IgG, IgM), exhaled breath condensate pH, asthma control, and quality of life were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • M. pneumoniae was detected in 64% of acute asthma, 65% of refractory asthma, and 56% of healthy children.
  • Asthmatic children exhibited lower antibody levels against M. pneumoniae compared to controls.
  • M. pneumoniae-positive children with asthma had reduced exhaled breath condensate pH and poorer asthma control and quality of life scores.

Conclusions:

  • M. pneumoniae detection is prevalent in children and correlates with increased asthma severity.
  • Children with asthma may present with diminished humoral immunity against M. pneumoniae.

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