Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2013 May;110(5):328-334.e1.
doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.01.022. Epub 2013 Feb 23.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with acute and refractory asthma

Pamela R Wood  1 , Vanessa L Hill, Margaret L Burks, Jay I Peters, Harjinder Singh, Thirumalai R Kannan, Shruthi Vale, Marianna P Cagle, Molly F R Principe, Joel B Baseman, Edward G Brooks
Affiliations

Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with acute and refractory asthma

Pamela R Wood et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 May.

Erratum in

  • Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Oct;111(4):309

Abstract

Background: The presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been associated with worsening asthma in children. Sensitive assays have been developed to detect M pneumoniae-derived community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin.

Objectives: To identify the frequency and persistence of M pneumoniae detection in respiratory secretions of children with and without asthma and to evaluate antibody responses to M pneumoniae and the impact of M pneumoniae on biological markers, asthma control, and quality of life.

Methods: We enrolled 143 pediatric patients (53 patients with acute asthma, 26 patients with refractory asthma, and 64 healthy controls; age range, 5-17 years) during a 20-month period with 2 to 5 follow-up visits. We detected M pneumoniae using CARDS toxin antigen capture and polymerase chain reaction and P1 adhesin polymerase chain reaction. Immune responses to M pneumoniae were determined by IgG and IgM levels directed against CARDS toxin and P1 adhesin. pH was measured in exhaled breath condensates, and asthma control and quality of life were assessed using the Asthma Control Test and Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results: M pneumoniae was detected in 64% of patients with acute asthma, 65% with refractory asthma, and 56% of healthy controls. Children with asthma had lower antibody levels to M pneumoniae compared with healthy controls. Exhaled breath condensate pHs and asthma control and quality of life scores were lower in M pneumoniae-positive patients with asthma.

Conclusion: The results suggest that M pneumoniae detection is common in children, M pneumoniae detection is associated with worsening asthma, and children with asthma may have poor humoral immune responses to M pneumoniae.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 4
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Bel EH, Sousa A, Fleming L, Bush A, Chung KF, Versnel J, et al. Diagnosis and definition of severe refractory asthma: an international consensus statement from the Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI) Thorax. 2010;76:910–7. - PubMed
    1. Hahn DL, McDonald R. Can acute Chlamydia pneumoniae respiratory tract infection initiate chronic asthma? Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 1998;81:339–44. - PubMed
    1. Kraft M, Cassell GH, Henson JE, Watson H, Williamson J, Marmion BP, et al. Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the airways of adults with chronic asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998;158:998–1001. - PubMed
    1. Good JT, Jr, Kolakowski CA, Groshong SD, Murphy JR, Martin RJ. Refractory asthma: importance of bronchoscopy to identify phenotypes and direct therapy. Chest. 2012;141:599–606. - PubMed
    1. Leaver R, Weinberg EG. Is Mycoplasma pneumoniae a precipitating factor in acute severe asthma in children? S Afr Med J. 1985;68:78–9. - PubMed

Publication types