Increased levels of IgG subclasses specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa exoenzyme and polysaccharide antigens in chronically infected patients with cystic fibrosis.

IgG subclass levels to Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate, alkaline proteinase, elastase and exotoxin A in sera of healthy adults, non-infected and infected cystic fibrosis patients were investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Whereas healthy adults and non-infected cystic fibrosis patients revealed mostly negative IgG subclass levels to the four antigens, infected cystic fibrosis patients had significantly elevated IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 levels to both the protein antigens as well as the polysaccharide antigen. The study does not support previous findings of an impaired natural IgG2 response to polysaccharide antigen. The study does not support previous findings of an impaired natural IgG2 response to polysaccharide in chronically infected cystic fibrosis patients.

[Prevention of infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae]. / Prophylaxe gegen Infektionen durch Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common etiologic agent in outpatients pneumonia. Pneumococcal infections are often associated with high mortality risk in immunocompromised patients. An increasing resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to antibiotics is observed worldwide. This led to the official recommendation by the STIKO to use the vaccination in special risk groups. The commercially available 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine produces a reliable immune response against pneumococcal infection in children aged over 2 years and adults. The recommendation should be more realized in practice.