Atypical bacterial pneumonia and asthma risk.

The role of respiratory infections in asthma is poorly understood. Atypical bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are present in the lower airways of approximately 50% of asthmatics. This study tested the hypothesis that early life community-acquired pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydia pneumoniae is associated with increased asthma prevalence.