The prevalence of acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with acute exacerbation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 4th cause of morbidity in world. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) represents a common complaint that leads patients to seek medical attention. One of the major agents that cause AECOPD is Chlamydia pneumoniae. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of acute C. pneumoniae infection in patients admitted with AECOPD at Hajar hospital in Shahrekord. In this descriptive cross-sectional study، 100 patients with AECOPD were studied. In addition to clinical and radiological examinations، two blood samples were taken three weeks apart. Antibody titers against C. pneumoniae determined by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The prevalence of C. pneumoniae infection in AECOPD was 7% and no relation with age، sex، duration of disease، and clinical signs were observed (P>0. 05). However، a significant relationship between diabetic diseases: having family history and high pressure and similar diseases in family with AECOPD was observed (P<0. 05). Our results showed Acute C. pneumoniae infection is a low significant causative pathogen in AECOPD.