Immune response to Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia in the sputum of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of anaerobic bacteria in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB).


METHODS
The level of the Ig-A class to two organisms (Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia) was determined in the sputum of 25 patients with AECB and 25 control patients. The presence and level of these antibodies were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The median sputum antibody level for F nucleatum and P intermedia were significantly higher in patients with AECB as compared to control patients (p < 0.05). The IgA levels for F nucleatum was 3.5 times higher in patients with AECB and 3.8 times greater for P intermedia.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates for the first time an elevated sputum antibody titers in patients with AECB to F nucleatum and P intermedia.
Brook
Itzhak
I
Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA. ib6@georgetown.edu
Frazier
Edith H
EH
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000276:immunology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology*; D012008:Recurrence; D013183:Sputum / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory