Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of acute respiratory infections in both children and adults. It can cause pharyngitis, otitis, tracheobronchitis, or community-acquired pneumonia, but may also remain totally asymptomatic. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an organism that reportedly has a strong relationship to asthma. The role of atypical bacterial infection in the pathogenesis of asthma is a subject of continuing debate. There is an increasing body of literature concerning the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) and asthma pathogenesis. Moreover, many studies investigating such a link have been uncontrolled and have provided conflicting evidence, in part due to the difficulty in accurately diagnosing infection with these atypical pathogens. Large, general population-based prospective studies are necessary to investigate the development of asthma induced by M. pneumoniae infection in humans. This manuscript will review the relationship between M. pneumoniae infection and childhood asthma.

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