Viral and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in exacerbations of chronic lung disease.

Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that viral and certain nonbacterial agents may initiate exacerbations of symptoms in patients with chronic lung disease. The present study further establishes the role of viruses in exacerbation of symptoms and offers evidence that Mycoplasma pneumoniae is also a likely offender. Of the 42 exacerbations studied in 29 patients with moderate to severe obstructive airway disease, 64.2 per cent were associated with one of three agents: rhinoviruses (42.8 per cent), respiratory syncytial (RS) virus (11.9 per cent), and M. pneumoniae (9.5 per cent). Patients with chronic lung disease appear more susceptible than normal persons to severe disease from infection with these agents.