Does Mycoplasma Infection Change the Asthma Phenotype?

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are present in the airways in subjects with asthma, but Mycoplasma pneumoniae is present in greater frequency in subjects with asthma as compared to control subjects. Macrolide therapy may have benefit in carefully selected patients. Data suggest that Mycoplasma pneumoniae increases mucin expression, particularly MUC5AC, and IL-8. Surfactant protein function may be abnormal in asthma, and may increase susceptibility to mycoplasma, and potentially other infections.

Keywords:

• Mycoplasma
• infection
• asthma
• inflammation
• Chlamydia
• macrolide antibiotic