title: Serum antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis as a diagnostic tool: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A systematic literature review of the last 40 years on the research of serum antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis and its utility as a diagnostic tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research papers in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were accessed through electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, LILACS, and SciELO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  26 studies were assessed. ELISA technique was the most commonly used technique to detect serum P. aeruginosa antibodies. The most consistent results were those in which the response against the antigen St-Ag:1-17 was evaluated. The accuracy levels of the ELISA technique remain controversial, but most studies showed a good correlation between antibody titers and microbiological culture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The detection of serum antibodies to P. aeruginosa shows capacity for early detection of this pathogen and potential utility and viability of incorporation in the diagnostic routine of patients with cystic fibrosis.
authors: Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors: Renan Marrichi
authors: RM
authors: Mauch
authors: Departament of Clinic Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Brazil. Electronic address: celevy@fcm.unicamp.br.
authors: Carlos Emilio
authors: CE
authors: Levy
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Review; Serum antibodies