Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR): a common agent in acute bronchitis.

Patients seeking medical attention for respiratory infections were investigated with serology and culture for Chlamydia pneumoniae to investigate the prevalence of C. pneumoniae in a specific geographical area and its association with respiratory disease. Evidence for C. pneumoniae infection was found in approximately 25% of cases. 71% of patients with C. pneumoniae had symptoms from the lower respiratory tract as compared to 29% of the others. We conclude that C. pneumoniae can be a major cause of acute bronchitis.