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Mycoplasma pneumoniae and health outcomes in children with asthma
Pamela R Wood1, Jordan C Kampschmidt1, Peter H Dube2
1Department of Pediatrics, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
Background:
Acute infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) have been associated with worsening asthma in children. Mp can be present in the respiratory tract for extended periods; it is unknown whether the long-term persistence of Mp in the respiratory tract affects long-term asthma control.
Objective:
To determine the effect of Mp on asthma control.
Methods:
We enrolled 31 pediatric subjects 3 to 10 years of age with persistent asthma who completed up to 8 visits over a 24-month period. We detected Mp by antigen capture and polymerase chain reaction. Primary outcome measurements included symptom scores, quality of life, medication scores, oral corticosteroid use, health care usage, school absences, and exhaled breath condensate pH.
Results:
Low levels of Mp community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin were detected in 20 subjects (64.5%) at enrollment. Subjects with Mp positivity at a given visit had a .579 probability of remaining Mp positive at the subsequent visit, whereas those with Mp negativity had a .348 probability of becoming Mp positive at the following visit. The incidence of Mp overall was higher in the spring and summer months. Overall, we found no significant relation between the detection of Mp and worse outcome measurements at the same visit or at subsequent visits.
Conclusion:
The long-term persistence of Mp in the respiratory tract is common in children with asthma. However, the detection of Mp was not associated significantly with worse asthma symptoms, quality of life, health care usage, school absences, or exhaled breath condensate pH in this pediatric asthma cohort.
Insights
Long-term Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) respiratory infections are common in children with asthma. However, Mp persistence did not significantly worsen asthma control, quality of life, or health outcomes in this pediatric cohort.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Asthma Research
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infections are linked to acute asthma exacerbations in children.
- The long-term respiratory presence of Mp and its impact on chronic asthma control remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of persistent Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the respiratory tract on long-term asthma control in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 31 children (3-10 years) with persistent asthma was monitored over 24 months.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae detection utilized antigen capture and PCR.
- Outcomes included symptom scores, quality of life, medication use, and healthcare utilization.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae was frequently detected, with a high probability of persistence between visits.
- Mp detection rates were higher in spring and summer.
- No significant association was found between Mp detection and worsened asthma outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Long-term respiratory persistence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is common in children with asthma.
- Mp detection did not correlate with poorer asthma control, quality of life, or increased healthcare use in this cohort.
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