Clinical aspects of chlamydia respiratory tract infections and their role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Kliniczne aspekty chlamydiowych zaka~zen ukladu oddechowego i ich rola w patogenezie astmy.

Szulakowski P,      Pierzchala W     

Asthma
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Chlamydia Infections
Adult
Animal
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

Child
English Abstract
Human
Serologic Tests
Review
Review, Tutorial

Published in Polish

Abstract
Recent world-wide publications were reviewed in order to determine the clinical characteristics and therapeutic relevance of the chlamydial respiratory tract infections in humans.  It was emphasized that Chlamydia pneumoniae could initiate asthma and may be associated with acute asthma exacerbation.  Laboratory procedures for identifying chlamydia and difficulties concerned with the diagnostics of this intracellular pathogen were also presented.  In patients with evidence of chlamydial infection the casual treatment (macrolides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones) may induce major improvement or complete resolution of asthma.

Katedry i Kliniki Pneumonologii Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej
Katowicach.