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Abstract
The role of respiratory infections in asthma is poorly understood. Atypical bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are present in the lower airways of approximately 50% of asthmatics. This study tested the hypothesis that early life community‐acquired pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydia pneumoniae is associated with increased asthma prevalence. Thirty‐five subjects with a history of community‐acquired pneumonia (22 due to atypical bacteria, 13 due to nonatypical pathogens) were evaluated by questionnaire 7–9 years after the episode of pneumonia. Subjects with a history of either typical or atypical pneumonia demonstrated increased asthma prevalence. Current or past asthma prevalence was 55% in subjects with atypical bacterial pneumonia and 61.5% in subjects with nonatypical bacterial pneumonia. Significant between‐group differences were not demonstrated with regard to asthma prevalence (risk ratio = 0.89; 95% confidence interval = 0.49–1.61), current bronchodilator use [1.18 (0.44–3.17)], and family history of atopy [1.18 (0.73–1.91)], or asthma [1.63 (0.68–3.88)]. These data suggest that atypical bacterial pneumonia confers a risk of asthma similar to that seen with nonatypical bacterial pneumonia. Prospective studies are warranted to more fully evaluate the importance of atypical bacterial pneumonia as an asthma risk factor.