Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibody detection in cystic fibrosis patients

Chronic respiratory infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains the mos t important prognostic factor in cystic fibrosis patients. One method to le ngthen the patient's life is to extend the initial state of the illness wit h an early diagnosis, before Ps. aeruginosa infection becomes chronic. Ofte n this is difficult because of the young age of the patients. This study tested an immunoenzymatic system to evaluate antibody response a gainst three Ps. aeruginosa purified antigens, alkaline protease, elastase and exotoxin A. We studied 40 patients with cystic fibrosis, 20 affected an d 20 unaffected by apparent Ps. aeruginosa infection, also from the bacteri ological point of view. Serological and bacteriological results were compar ed for each patient and showed that serological screening can be useful in young subjects, who often have no bacteriological evidence of Ps. aeruginos a colonization.