Abstract: Background: Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disease in childhood. Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection has been associated with bronchial hyperreactivity, new onset asthma, acute intermittent asthma, chronic asthma and asthma severity. Some studies have shown marked anti-Hsp60 seroreactivity in an exacerbation of culture-proven persistent C. pneumoniae lung infection and suggested that an allergic reaction to Hsp could produce pulmonary symptoms. Aim of study: This cross sectional case-control study aimed at evaluating the serological evidence of C. pneumoniae infection and its heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) on airflow limitation and asthma severity in asthmatic children. Methods: We evaluated 150 asthmatic children, 84males (56%) and 66 (44%) females, their mean age was 7 ± 2.8 years, 45 with acute exacerbations representing 30% and 105 with chronic stable asthma representing 70%. They were investigated for C. pneumoniae IgG and Hsp60 after PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate) and PEFR % were done as standardized for children on dynamic spirometry (Jaeger,Germany) device. Patients were attending the pediatric asthma and allergy clinic as well as patients admitted inpatient in pediatric department of Benha university hospitals. Fifty age and sex-matched healthy children were included as control group in our study. Results: There was a highly significant correlation between C. pneumoniae positive IgG and both asthma duration and asthma grade. While there was a very highly significant correlation with peak expiratory flow rate %. Regarding Hsp60 there was a significant correlation between positive Hsp60 and asthma grade. While there was a very highly significant correlation with asthma duration and peak expiratory flow rate %. Conclusions: This study provides serological evidence that chronic infection with C. pneumoniae is present more in children with asthma than healthy children. Our results support positive correlation of asthma duration and severity to chronic infection with C. pneumoniae. Hsp60 has an association with the degree of airway obstruction in asthmatic children. |
