The role of atypical respiratory pathogens in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

B. M.W. Diederen*, P. D.L.P.M. van der Valk, J. A.W.J. Kluytmans, M. F. Peeters, R. Hendrix

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aetiology of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is heterogeneous and still under discussion. Serological studies have suggested that Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumonias and Legionella pneumophila may play a role in acute exacerbations of COPD. The presence of these atypical pathogens in sputum samples was investigated in patients with stable COPD and with acute exacerbations of COPD using real-time PCR. The present study was part of a randomised, double-blind, single-centre study and a total of 248 sputum samples from 104 COPD patients were included. In total, 122 samples obtained during stable disease (stable-state sputa) and 126 samples obtained during acute exacerbations of COPD (exacerbation sputa) were tested. Of the 122 stable-state sputa, all samples were negative for M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae DNA, whereas one sample was positive for Legionella non-pneumophila DNA. Of the 126 exacerbation sputa, all samples were negative for M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae DNA, whereas one sample was positive for Legionella non-pneumophila DNA. The possible relationship between the presence of atypical pathogens and the aetiology of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was investigated in patients with stable disease and in those with acute exacerbations using real-time PCR. No Indication was found of a role for Legionella spp., Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae in stable, moderately severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in its exacerbations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)240-244
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Atypical pathogens
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Exacerbation
  • Legionella
  • Real-time PCR

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