[Chronic Chlamydia pneumonia infection in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (especially chronic infection) in COPD patients. Microimmunofluorescence method has been applied Chlamydia pneumoniae Micro-IF test (Labsystems) has been used. The levels of specific IgG, IgA and IgM have been estimated in patients' serum. According to serologic criteria, 64.1% of COPD patients and 20.5% of healthy controls appeared to be chronically infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae (p < 0.001). Taking in account COPD severity, persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been present in 68.2%, 57.1%, and 50% of patients with severe, moderate and mild COPD, respectively. Our study has revealed that chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection occurs more frequently in COPD patients than in healthy controls and in patients with severe COPD than in ones with mild and moderate disease. It is possible that persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection can initiate or amplify inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract. The results suggest a need to diagnose chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in COPD patients and, if confirmed, to take an attempt of antimicrobial therapy.
Mazur
E
E
Zakład Chorób Odzwierzecych Instytutu Medycyny Wsi w Lublinie.
Niedźwiadek
J
J
Chmielewska-Badora
J
J
Gryglicka
B
B
Kozioł-Montewka
M
M
Milanowski
J
J
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012698:Serologic Tests
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M