Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (1999) 44, 145-148
© 1999 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Leading article |
Antimicrobial therapy for Chlamydia pneumoniae: its potential role in atherosclerosis and asthma
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Birmingham Heartslands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS, UK
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium, an obligate intracellular parasite with a unique developmental cycle, and a common respiratory pathogen in children as well as adults. 1 There is now an impressive body of evidence to show that C. pneumoniae contributes significantly to asthma and atheromatous vascular disease, which can be summarized as follows.
Wheezing is a common feature of chlamydial lung infections.
2 In a study of 365 adults with acute respiratory illness,
acute C. pneumoniae infection was diagnosed serologically in 19 patients (5.2%), of
whom nine (47.3%) reported wheezing.
3 A polyvalent C. pneumoniae antibody titre of
64 was associated with a high risk of wheezing, and there was a clear dose–response
relationship between antibody titre and the occurrence of wheezing. Later diagnoses of asthmatic
bronchitis were
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