| Title | Lung function and bronchial responsiveness after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in early childhood. | | Author(s) | Kjaer BB, Jensen JS, Nielsen KG, Fomsgaard A, Böttiger B, Dohn B, Bisgaard H | | Institution | Department of Paediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. | | Source | Pediatr Pulmonol 2008 Apr 24; 43(6):567-575. | | Abstract | Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae has been associated with exacerbation of symptoms in asthmatic school children and adults; and an etiological role in asthma has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether infection with M. pneumoniae in early childhood has a long-term influence on lung function and bronchial responsiveness. In a retrospective, clinical cohort-study children younger than 5 years-of-age when PCR-tested for M. pneumoniae were enrolled. Sixty-five children with clinical symptoms suggesting infection with M. pneumoniae during an epidemic season completed a clinical follow-up examination including lung function testing (28 PCR-positive and 37 PCR-negative). In addition to the PCR-test for M. pneumoniae all respiratory tract specimens were additionally tested for other atypical bacteria and for viruses by PCR. Lung function was measured as specific airway resistance by whole-body plethysmography and bronchial hyperresponsiveness was assessed by cold, dry air hyperventilation. Neither baseline lung function nor bronchial response to cold dry air hyperventilation differed between M. pneumoniae-positive and -negative children: mean baseline lung function were 1.17 versus 1.21 (kPa sec), P = 0.45; and mean change in specific resistance was 13% versus 9%, P = 0.42. In conclusion, M. pneumoniae infection in early childhood was not associated with long-term effects on lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness 2 years after infection. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:567-575. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 18435477 |
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