Kjaer Birgitte B, Jensen Jørgen S, Nielsen Kim G, Fomsgaard Anders, Böttiger Blenda, Dohn Birthe, Bisgaard Hans
Department of Paediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark.
Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008 Jun;43(6):567-75. doi: 10.1002/ppul.20813.
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.
肺炎支原体（M. pneumoniae）与哮喘学龄儿童及成人症状加重有关；并且有人提出其在哮喘发病中具有病因学作用。本研究的目的是调查儿童早期肺炎支原体感染是否对肺功能和支气管反应性有长期影响。在一项回顾性临床队列研究中，纳入了5岁以下接受肺炎支原体PCR检测的儿童。65名在流行季节有提示肺炎支原体感染临床症状的儿童完成了包括肺功能测试在内的临床随访检查（28名PCR阳性和37名PCR阴性）。除了肺炎支原体PCR检测外，所有呼吸道标本还通过PCR检测了其他非典型细菌和病毒。肺功能通过全身体积描记法测量比气道阻力，支气管高反应性通过冷干空气过度通气进行评估。肺炎支原体阳性和阴性儿童之间的基线肺功能或对冷干空气过度通气的支气管反应均无差异：平均基线肺功能分别为1.17与1.21（kPa秒），P = 0.45；比气道阻力的平均变化分别为13%与9%，P = 0.42。总之，儿童早期肺炎支原体感染与感染后2年的肺功能和支气管高反应性长期影响无关。
