Infectious Chlamydia pneumoniae is Associated With Elevated Interleukin-8 and Airway Neutrophilia in Children With Refractory Asthma

Abstract

Children with asthma who were PCR-positive for C. pneumoniae demonstrated elevated concentrations of IL-8 and neutrophils in BAL fluid compared with similar patients who were positive for C. trachomatis or Mycoplasma organisms, but PCR-negative for C. pneumoniae. Undiagnosed C. pneumoniae infection in children may therefore contribute to poorly controlled asthma via induction of IL-8.