title: Secretory IgA as a diagnostic tool for Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory colonization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa sinusitis may be the focus for intermittent lung colonization in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The sinusitis may induce elevated IgA levels in nasal secretion and saliva against P. aeruginosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 CF patients chronically infected, intermittently colonized or without P. aeruginosa in the lungs participated in this cross-sectional study. IgA and IgG against P. aeruginosa sonicate and alginate were measured in nasal secretions, saliva, and in serum by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intermittently colonized patients had significantly higher IgA levels in nasal secretions and saliva than those without P. aeruginosa in the lungs, indicating that P. aeruginosa sinusitis may precede intermittent colonization and chronic infection of the lungs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific IgA against P. aeruginosa in nasal secretions and saliva can contribute to differentiation between patients chronically infected, intermittently colonized, and without P. aeruginosa in the lungs. The diagnostic value of the IgA ELISA awaits a prospective study.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Kasperaanaes@hotmail.com
authors: Kasper
authors: K
authors: Aanaes
authors: Helle Krogh
authors: HK
authors: Johansen
authors: Steen Seier
authors: SS
authors: Poulsen
authors: Tacjana
authors: T
authors: Pressler
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Buchwald
authors: Niels
authors: N
authors: Høiby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory