TY - JOUR
T1 - Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in acute exacerbations of COPD
AU - Blasi, F.
AU - Legnani, D.
AU - Lombardo, V. M.
AU - Negretto, G. G.
AU - Magliano, E.
AU - Pozzoli, R.
AU - Chiodo, F.
AU - Fasoli, A.
AU - Allegra, L.
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR, is a frequent causative agent of acute respiratory disease. We assessed the incidence and prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in COPD. We studied, from January 1990 to May 1991, 142 out-patients with acute purulent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 114 healthy control subjects. Oropharyngeal swab specimens were collected at each exacerbation and analysed using a high definition monoclonal indirect fluorescent antibody test for Chlamydia pneumoniae identification. Immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) fractions of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae were studied by microimmunofluorescence test. Prevalence of specific IgG was 63% in COPD, and 46% in controls (Chi-squared test p = 0.007). Moreover, mean titre of IgG was significantly higher in COPD than in controls. Five patients were positive for specific IgM (≥ = 1:16), and one had a fourfold increase of IgG titre; four of these patients had been treated with ciprofloxacin 1 g · day-1 for 10 days, and two with erythromycin, 3 g · day-1 for 14 days, with remission of signs and symptoms of exacerbation. Chlamydia pneumoniae identification was always negative. Our data suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is a rather frequent event in COPD, since at least 4% of exacerbations may be associated with it.
AB - Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR, is a frequent causative agent of acute respiratory disease. We assessed the incidence and prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in COPD. We studied, from January 1990 to May 1991, 142 out-patients with acute purulent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 114 healthy control subjects. Oropharyngeal swab specimens were collected at each exacerbation and analysed using a high definition monoclonal indirect fluorescent antibody test for Chlamydia pneumoniae identification. Immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) fractions of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae were studied by microimmunofluorescence test. Prevalence of specific IgG was 63% in COPD, and 46% in controls (Chi-squared test p = 0.007). Moreover, mean titre of IgG was significantly higher in COPD than in controls. Five patients were positive for specific IgM (≥ = 1:16), and one had a fourfold increase of IgG titre; four of these patients had been treated with ciprofloxacin 1 g · day-1 for 10 days, and two with erythromycin, 3 g · day-1 for 14 days, with remission of signs and symptoms of exacerbation. Chlamydia pneumoniae identification was always negative. Our data suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is a rather frequent event in COPD, since at least 4% of exacerbations may be associated with it.
KW - Chlamydia pneumoniae
KW - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
KW - exacerbations
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027400235&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0027400235&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 8425589
AN - SCOPUS:0027400235
VL - 6
SP - 19
EP - 22
JO - European Journal of Respiratory Diseases
JF - European Journal of Respiratory Diseases
SN - 0903-1936
IS - 1
ER -