title: Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in acute exacerbations of COPD.
abstract: Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR, is a frequent causative agent of acute respiratory disease. We assessed the incidence and prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in COPD. We studied, from January 1990 to May 1991, 142 out-patients with acute purulent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 114 healthy control subjects. Oropharyngeal swab specimens were collected at each exacerbation and analysed using a high definition monoclonal indirect fluorescent antibody test for Chlamydia pneumoniae identification. Immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) fractions of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae were studied by microimmunofluorescence test. Prevalence of specific IgG was 63% in COPD, and 46% in controls (Chi-squared test p = 0.007). Moreover, mean titre of IgG was significantly higher in COPD than in controls. Five patients were positive for specific IgM (> or = = 1:16), and one had a fourfold increase of IgG titre; four of these patients had been treated with ciprofloxacin 1 g.day-1 for 10 days, and two with erythromycin, 3 g.day-1 for 14 days, with remission of signs and symptoms of exacerbation. Chlamydia pneumoniae identification was always negative. Our data suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is a rather frequent event in COPD, since at least 4% of exacerbations may be associated with it.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Respiratory Diseases, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blasi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Legnani
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Negretto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magliano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pozzoli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiodo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasoli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allegra
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial