The role of atypical organisms in asthma

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2000 Mar-Apr;21(2):107-11. doi: 10.2500/108854100778250860.

Abstract

Atypical organisms (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae) have been recently linked to asthma in various ways: an infection with these organisms may precede asthma onset, exacerbate asthma, or make asthma control more difficult. Their ability to elicit a TH2 response and promote airway inflammation may be the common pathway in the development of an atopic inflammatory response. This article presents a summary of the evidence that infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae may play a significance role in asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chlamydia Infections / complications*
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / diagnosis
  • Prognosis
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment