[Anti-pseudomonas-specific precipitins as a marker of chronic infection in patients with cystic fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
The authors underline the characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its methods of action on bronchial mucosa in cystic fibrosis. They then discuss the two concepts of "colonisation" and "chronic infection".


METHODS
The level of "infection" was evaluated using an immunoelectrophoretic method involving the precipitation of bands of specific precipitins. A technical description of the method is included. The authors illustrate the use of the method in 78 cases of cystic fibrosis, comparing the positive results obtained using precipitin electrophoresis with the results of direct bacteriological findings.


RESULTS
Using the bacteriological criteria, a total of 26.9% of patients were diagnosed as infected, whereas this percentage rose to 32.1% using precipitins. 87.2% of cases were concordant using both methods.


CONCLUSIONS
As a practical solution, the authors recommend that the two methods are combined, thus obtaining a marked reduction in the number of false positives with obvious consequences in terms of therapeutic decisions.
Castello
D
D
Divisione di Pneumologia, Azienda Materno-Infantile Regina Margherita, S. Anna, Torino.
Mari
C
C
Visca
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers; D001980:Bronchi / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D011234:Precipitins / Q000276:immunology*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D015415:Biomarkers; D011234:Precipitins
Le precipitine specifiche antipseudomonas come marker di infezione cronica nel paziente fibrocistico.