کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
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3468317 | 1596592 | 2009 | 7 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
Chlamydophila pneumoniae has been recognized as a common cause of respiratory tract infections affecting all age groups. The organism has been implicated as an infectious trigger for acute exacerbations of COPD. Moreover, the intracellular existence of this pathogen and the ability to cause chronic respiratory infections have led to a number of studies that investigated its possible association with disease development. The present paper examines and discusses the possible association of acute C. pneumoniae infection in episodes of acute exacerbation of COPD. It also reviews the existing evidence of chronic C. pneumoniae infection with disease pathogenesis and severity. The significant interstudy variation of the choice of diagnostic methods and criteria applied is most likely responsible for the great diversity of results observed. The use of well-standardized, commercially available diagnostic tools, as well as the adoption of a more unified diagnostic approach is probably the key element missing in order to clarify the exact role of C. pneumoniae in COPD.
Journal: European Journal of Internal Medicine - Volume 20, Issue 6, October 2009, Pages 579–585