Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cyanide accumulation and lung function in CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients.
In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most important respiratory pathogen. It is able to synthesise hydrogen cyanide, a potent inhibitor of cellular respiration. The present study investigated whether cyanide is present in the sputum of CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients infected with P. aeruginosa, and whether the detection of cyanide affected lung function. Cyanide was measured in sputum using a cyanide ion selective electrode. Cyanide was detected in sputum from 15 out of 25 CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients with current P. aeruginosa infection; however, it was not detected in any of the 10 patients without this organism. Maximum levels were 130 microM (mean+/-SE 72+/-6.6 microM). Concurrent lung function data were available on all 21 P. aeruginosa-infected CF patients; the group with measurable sputum cyanide (n = 11) was not different from those without (n = 10) on the basis of age or sex. However, those with detectable cyanide had significantly poorer lung function than those without (forced expiratory volume in one second (% predicted) 26.8+/-3.8 versus 46.0+/-6.7%; forced vital capacity (% pred) 44.4+/-4.9 versus 60.1+/-7.7%). Cyanide is detectable in sputum from cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is also associated with impaired lung function.
Ryall
B
B
Dept of Life Sciences, Division of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
Davies
J C
JC
Wilson
R
R
Shoemark
A
A
Williams
H D
HD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology
D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide