[Impact of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections on asthma] Impact des infections a Chlamydia pneumoniae sur la maladie asthmatique.

Asthma
Chlamydophila Infections
Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Adult
Age Factors
Antibiotics
Child

Comparative Study
Human
Microbiological Techniques
Middle Age
Time Factors
Review
Review, Tutorial

Published in French

Abstract
VIRUSES AND BACTERIA: The fact that the airways are exposed to a large number of infectious agents could explain the frequency of respiratory infections and their causal effect in bronchial inflammation.  Viruses are most often the causal agent, but the frequency of bacterial infections make them potential candidates in certain respiratory diseases.  Chlamydia are particularly important due to their capacity to provoke immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation. 

EFFECT ON ASTHMA: It is not surprising to find biological evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in a large number of subjects who experience major degradation of their asthma because asthmatic subjects are particularly susceptible to respiratory infections and Chlamydia pneumoniae is a frequent cause of such infections. 

PATHOGENIC EFFECT: Finding Chlamydia pneumoniae as the causal agent in asthma is however much more surprising, with a much different consequence.  There are however many epidemiological and clinical findings and case observations (Chlamydia pneumoniae asthma associations, prolonged favorable course in certain obstructive bronchial diseases after a short antibiotic regimen) as well as provocative pathophysiological data favoring this particular form of "infectious asthma". 

Service de Pneumologie et de Reanimation respiratoire (Pr Fournier)
Hopital Beaujon
Clichy.