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Children with chronic asthma more likely to have M. pneumoniae
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In most children, Mycoplasma pneumoniae does not play a direct role in the pathogenicity of acute or chronic asthma, but M.pneumoniae infections are more likely in children with chronic asthma, according to recent study findings published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
“In this 2-year longitudinal comprehensive study, M. pneumoniae infection was not detected significantly more often during an asthma exacerbation than in chronic asthma in children,” the researchers wrote. “Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was significantly more frequent in children seen for chronic asthma than children hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation. For adults, prevalence of M. pneumoniae or C. pneumoniae infections were similar in both groups. An acute M. pneumoniae or C. pneumoniae infection did not modify disease morbidity during asthma exacerbations or chronic disease.”
The study included evaluated lung function testing, blood sampling and microbiological testing from 256 children and 68 adults. There was a 7-week follow-up with repeated blood sampling and follow-up phone interviews at 6 and 12 months.
Researchers found that children with chronic asthma were more likely to have M. pneumoniae infection (13.6%) compared with children with exacerbation (7.1%). However, M. pneumoniae infection was more prevalent in adults with exacerbation (10%) compared with those with chronic asthma (6.3%).
Acute C. pneumoniae infection was present in 3.9% of children and 7.4% of adults. Children hospitalized for chronic asthma were less likely to be infected with C. pneumoniae compared with those seen for chronic asthma.
“In conclusion, the present study suggests that M. pneumoniae infections do not play a direct role in the pathogenicity of acute or chronic asthma in most children and adults; the high prevalence of viral infections, particularly rhinovirus, during asthma exacerbations in children was confirmed,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The study was funded in part by La Direction de la Recherche Clinique d’Aquitaine.
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