[Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in children with asthma exacerbation]

Little is known about the significance of C. pneumoniae in wheezing state in children. In this study, a total of 33 children with exacerbation of bronchial asthma were serologically and bacteriologically analyzed to investigate whether C. pneumoniae infection is associated with wheezing in children with bronchial asthma. 1) Of the 33 patients 12 (39%) had an acute antibody rise against C. pneumoniae. C. pneumoniae was isolated from 8 patients (24%) by culture. Based on these findings, 15 cases (45%) were diagnosed as C. pneumoniae infection. 2) There were no significant difference in clinical signs, symptoms and laboratory studies between with and without C. pneumoniae infection. The high incidence of C. pneumoniae infection in children with exacerbation of bronchial asthma suggests its significance as a cause of wheezing. Although there was no specific symptom in C. pneumoniae infection, this infection should be suspected in wheezing children for diagnosis and proper treatment.