Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Bronchial Asthma in Children

ABSTRACT Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways resulting in recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and cough, particularly at night and early morning. Mycoplasma pneumonia is a frequent cause of acute respiratory infections in children. It can cause pharyngitis, otitis media, tracheobronchitis or community acquired pneumonia, but may also remain totally asymptomatic.  Aim of the work: The aim of the study is to find out the relation between Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection and bronchial asthma in children. Patients and Methods:A cross sectional study carried out at the Al-Azhar University Hospital in Damietta in the period from October 2018 to October 2019. It included 80 asthmatic children in acute attack. Patient demographics, asthma severity and laboratory investigations had been documented. In addition, IgM for Mycoplasma pneumoniae had been determined, and associated with other factors.   Results: Mild asthma reported in (76.25%), moderate asthma (17.5%), and severe asthma (6.25%). Eosinophils had significantly increased in severe asthma (5.00±3.24) when compared to moderate (3.57±1.55) or mild asthma (2.33±1.11). Similarly, IgM of M. pneumoniae was significantly increased in severe asthma (1.03±0.69) when compared to moderate (0.67±0.45) or mild asthma (0.61±0.21). None of children with mild asthma had positive IgM while 14.28% of moderate asthma had positive results and 80.0% of severe asthma had positive IgM for M. Pneumoniae.   Conclusion: Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection is common in children with acute attacks of asthma and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection is associated with the trigger asthma exacerbation and associated with the severity of asthma.