Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Which of the following allergies is least likely to cause atypical pneumonia?

1. Asthma

2. Allergy to pets

3. Allergy to pollen

4. Allergy to dust mites

The correct answer is: Asthma

The answer is based on the understanding of the relationship between allergies and pneumonia. Atypical pneumonia, often caused by organisms such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydophila pneumoniae, can have associations with underlying respiratory conditions that disrupt lung function or immune responses. Asthma, which is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways often triggered by allergens, infections, or irritants, is known to increase the risk of developing respiratory infections, including atypical pneumonia. Patients with asthma may experience increased airway reactivity and inflammation, which can predispose them to infections. In contrast, allergies such as pet allergies, pollen allergies, and dust mite allergies primarily affect the upper respiratory tract and may exacerbate asthma but do not directly contribute to the underlying lung pathology that leads to atypical pneumonia. While these allergies can lead to symptoms that feel similar to pneumonia, they are generally less likely to be associated with the atypical pathogens that cause pneumonia itself. Therefore, among the options listed, asthma is the least likely to be categorized primarily as an allergy that causes atypical pneumonia, as its role is more about exacerbating lung conditions rather than directly inciting infections characteristic of atypical pneumonia.