Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the airways of adults with chronic asthma [published erratum appears in Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998 Nov;158(5 Pt 1):1692]

Kraft M,      Cassell GH,      Henson JE,      Watson H,      Williamson J,      Marmion BP      Gaydos CA,      Martin RJ     

Asthma
Bronchi
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Adult
Biopsy
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Chlamydia Infections
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Chronic Disease
Female
Human
Influenza
Influenza A Virus, Human
Influenza B Virus

Male
Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma fermentans
Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human
Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human
Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human
Paramyxovirus Infections
Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
Rubulavirus Infections
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Abstract
Infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been shown to exacerbate asthma in humans.  However, the role of M. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma has not been defined.  Eighteen asthmatics with chronic, stable asthma and 11 nonasthmatic control subjects underwent evaluation of the upper and lower airways and serologic analysis to determine the presence of M. pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and seven respiratory viruses through culture, enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).  M. pneumoniae was detected by PCR in 10 of 18 asthmatics and one of 11 control subjects (p = 0.02).  In nine of the 10 patients, the organism was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial biopsies.  Seven of 18 asthmatics and one of 11 control subjects were also positive for M. fermentans and M. genitalium by PCR.  All patients' cultures, EIAs, and serology were negative for M. pneumoniae.  All PCR and cultures were negative for C. pneumoniae, and all EIAs for respiratory viruses were negative in all subjects.  Nine asthmatics and one control subject exhibited positive serology for C. pneumoniae (p = 0.05).  M. pneumoniae was present in the lower airways of chronic, stable asthmatics with greater frequency than control subjects, and may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma.

Department of Medicine
National Jewish Medical and Research Center and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Denver
Colorado
USA.