0760

CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE INFECTION AND EXACERBATIONS OF ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

Lu J-R,WangY, ZhangY-N, Fu W-Y, Wang M

Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China

Objective: To study the relationship of chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection with asthma exacerbations in children, and the diagnosis and therapy of Cpn infection in children with asthma.

Methods: Serum samples for antibody testing and pharyngeal swab specimens for Cpn DNA were obtained from 45 children patients and 20 controls, and analyzed with microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR).

Results: The prevalence of Cpn specific IgG was significantly higher in asthma cases than in controls (IgG≥1∶16，55.56% versus 25%，P<0.05); Cpn-DNA was detected from 14 (31.11%) cases and one (5%) control P<0.05)；serologic evidence of acute Cpn infection was present in 6 (13.33%) of asthma cases and none in controls. Five of 14 (35.71%) cases who were nPCR positive on a primary report remained so on their subsequent reported episode. After admitted in hospital, 5 asthmatic children who were nPCR positive on two episodes were treated with macrolide antibiotics, 3 of these 5 children achieved remission.

Conclusion: The findings showed that Cpn infection was associated with acute exacerbations of asthma, and Cpn specific IgG antibody might be involved in the immune reaction of asthma. Chronic or repeated Cpn infection is common in asthmatic children, antichlamydial therapy to asthmatic children with Cpn infection is essential. nPCR assay is a sensitive, specific and accurate method, application with MIF could improve the positive rate of detection.