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Published on: February 23, 2014
Virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae prevalence in a selected pediatric population with acute asthma exacerbation
Elida Duenas Meza1, Carlos Alberto Jaramillo2, Eliana Correa1
1a Fundación Neumológica Colombiana , Bogotá , Colombia and.
Insights
Viral and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are common in children with asthma exacerbations. Viral infections may predispose children to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, potentially triggering asthma attacks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Asthma Research
Background:
- Asthma exacerbations in children are frequently triggered by respiratory infections.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae and viral agents are common pathogens in pediatric respiratory illnesses.
- Understanding the interplay between these infections and asthma is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and viral infections in children with asthma exacerbations.
- To compare clinical characteristics, exacerbation severity, and hospitalization rates between infected and non-infected children.
- To investigate the potential role of inhaled corticosteroids in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 169 children aged 2-15 years presenting with acute asthma exacerbation.
- Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and viruses using PCR.
- Data on exacerbation severity, hospitalization, and prior treatment were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and viral infections was 12.4% and 83.7%, respectively.
- All Mycoplasma pneumoniae-positive children also had a viral co-infection, with Rhinovirus being the most common.
- No significant differences in exacerbation severity or hospitalization were noted between infected and non-infected groups. However, fewer Mycoplasma pneumoniae-positive children had used inhaled steroids.
- A lower percentage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae positive subjects had used inhaled steroids (38.1%) compared to negative subjects (68.2%).
Conclusions:
- Viral infections appear to predispose children to Mycoplasma pneumoniae co-infection, potentially triggering asthma exacerbations.
- The findings suggest a possible protective effect of inhaled corticosteroids against Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with asthma.
- Further research is recommended to confirm the protective role of inhaled corticosteroids in this context.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of viral and atypical bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children experiencing asthma exacerbation and compare positive and negative subjects with regard to exacerbation severity, need for hospitalization, and treatment.
Methods:
One hundred sixty-nine asthmatic children aged 2-15 years old who were admitted to emergency rooms in Bogota, Colombia for acute asthma exacerbation were interviewed. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were taken for DNA and RNA extraction. M. pneumoniae and virus were detected by PCR using specific primers.
Results:
The prevalence of M. pneumoniae and viral infection in the study population was 12.4% and 83.7%, respectively. All subjects positive for M. pneumoniae were also positive for viral infection. Rhinovirus was the most frequently detected viral agent. No significant differences in severity of asthma exacerbations or in need for hospitalization between the virus or M. pneumoniae positive and negative groups were observed. A significantly lower percentage of M. pneumoniae positive subjects had used inhaled steroids over the six months prior to asthma exacerbation compared to M. pneumoniae negative subjects (38.1% vs. 68.2%), suggesting that inhaled corticosteroids may have a protective effect against M. pneumoniae infections.
Conclusions:
The M. pneumoniae and virus prevalence found in this study were similar to those described in the literature. The 100% co-infection rate observed suggests that viral infection can predispose patients to M. pneumoniae infection, and that this interaction may trigger asthmatic exacerbation. Further studies should be done to confirm the protective effect of inhaled corticosteroids on M. pneumoniae infection in patients with asthma exacerbations.
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