Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been suggested to take part in the acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several studies have questioned whether they may play pathogenic roles in connection with bronchial asthma and COPD. This study was designed to evaluate the seroprevalences of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae in stable asthma and COPD patients, and to compare with control patients. The medical records of one hundred forty patients who underwent M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae serology were retrospectively reviewed. Seroprevalences of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae in the asthma group (11.1% and 8.3%, respectively) were higher than in the control group (4.4% and 2.2%, respectively) without statistical significance. The seroprevalence of M. pneumoniae in the COPD group (16.9%) was significantly higher than in the control group, and the seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae in the COPD group (3.4%) was higher than in the control group without statistical significance. This study raises important questions about the relation of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae infection with stable asthma or COPD.
Adult ; Aged ; Asthma/*microbiology ; Chlamydophila Infections/*epidemiology ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae/immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/*epidemiology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/*microbiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

OBJECTIVEThis paper aims to develop a monoclonal antibodies (MAbs)- based ELISA for detecting Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) antigens in humans with the variable domains (VD) 2 and 3 of the major outer membrane protein (MOMPVD2-VD3) and to assess its sensitivity and specificity by comparing with a widely used MAb that is able to recognize the elementary bodies of C. pneumoniae.

METHODSMOMPVD2-VD3 were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography. Mice were immunized with the recombinant antigen, and hybridomas secreting MAbs were screened. Three stable hybridomas clones were selected and named 5D6, 7G3, and 8C9. The MAbs-based ELISA was scrutinized for species-specific recognition with a number of human throat swab samples from Group I (156 patients with typical respiratory illness clinically confirmed before) and Group II (57 healthy donors).

RESULTSIn Group I, 55 positive cases were detected by anti-EB MAb-based ELISA, 51 cases were positive by MAbs 5D6-based ELISA, and 33 and 38 cases were positive by MAb 8C9 and 7G3-based ELISA respectively. Of the 57 samples from Group II "healthy donors", 5 were positive and 52 were negative with both anti-EB and 5D6-based tests, while 2 and 3 positive cases were identified by the other two MAb-based ELISAs respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe novel MOMPVD2-VD3 MAb-based assay may have higher specificity than the anti-EB MAb, which may possibly be used as an alternative tool for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; immunology ; Chlamydophila Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Mice ; Protein Structure, Tertiary

The purified elementary bodies of C. pneumoniae TW-183 were used for immunization of male BALB/c mice, the spleen cells of these mice were fused with SP2/0 cells and the hybrid cells were cloned by limiting dilution. One clone that secreted the C. pneumoniae monoclonal antibody (Cpn-McAb) stably was obtained finally. The Cpn-McAb belonged to IgG2b class and anti-Cpn-MOMP; the outcome of micro-immunofluorescence showed its weak cross reaction with the C. psittaci elementary body but it has no cross reaction with C. trachoma elementary body. It has the same speciality of the imported Cpn-McAb. For the evaluation of Cpn-McAb, the peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens of 454 patients were detected by self-made Cpn-McAb and imported Cpn-McAb at the same time. The positive rates of Cpn-antigen were 53.3% for self-made Cpn-McAb and 52.6% for imported Cpn-McAb,showing high concordance between them (Kappa=0.714). The results showed that self-made Cpn-McAb has almost the same high specificity and sensitivity as imported Cpn-McAb, so the self-made Cpn-McAb may replace imported Cpn-McAb to detect Cpn specific antigen and be helpful to diagnosing and treating the clinical diseases associated with Cpn infection.
Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Antibody Specificity ; Chlamydia Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; immunology ; Hybridomas ; secretion ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection on oxidative stress and the development of atherosclerosis in C57BL/6J mice.

METHODSForty-eight C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups including infection of CP and cholesterol diet, cholesterol diet, infection of CP and control. Atherosclerotic lesions were measured in the aortic root at 40 weeks after the primary infection. Production of superoxide was measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence response and evaluated in situ with laser scanning confocal microscope.

RESULTSInfected mice fed with an atherogenic diet developed significantly larger lesion areas compared with the single atherogenic diet mice (135 249 +/- 43 748 microm2 vs. 96 378 +/- 30 945 microm2, P < 0.05). Superoxide generation was higher in aortic arches of the infected mice or atherogenic diet mice compared with the control mice (1974.25 +/- 650.49, 701.00 +/- 105.16, 455.62 +/- 77.54 counts.mg(-1).min(-1) vs. 142.25 +/- 31.82 counts.mg(-1).min(-1), respectively, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONChlamydia pneumoniae infection accelerates atherosclerotic lesion development in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic mice. Generation of reactive oxygen species may contribute to atherosclerotic development by Chlamydia pneumoniae infection.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; Chlamydia Infections ; complications ; metabolism ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxides ; metabolism

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection implicated as an important etiologic factor of atherosclerosis, especially in coronary artery disease (CAD), was found in vitro to be associated with the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). An extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN)/membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) system which induces and activates MMPs,is suggested to be functional and were upregulated in the failing myocardium. However, the upstream regulation of MMPs by C. pneumoniae within atheroma itself remains unclear. We evaluated the seroepidemiologic study of C. pneumoniae infection in CAD patients (n = 391) and controls (n = 97) and performed histopathological and in vitro analysis in atherosclerotic vascular tissues obtained from patients with seropositive to C. pneumoniae (n = 20), by using immunochemistry for C. pneumoniae, EMMPRIN/MT1-MMP, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The seropositive rates of both anti-C. pneumoniae IgG and IgA were 56.7% in CAD group and 43.3% in control group (P =0.033). Seropositive rate was increased in subgroups of CAD patients without conventional coronary risk factors compared to those with conventional risk factors. Immunoreactivities of EMMPRIN, MT1-MMP, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were increased in the atheromatous plaque itself, predominantly in immunoreactive macrophages/mononuclear cells to C. pneumoniae. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that EMMPRIN and MMP-2 were detected more prominently in atherosclerotic tissues infected with C. pneumoniae compared to control tissues. Zymographic analysis revealed that activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were more increased in atherosclerotic tissues infected with C. pneumoniae compared to control tissues. The present study demonstrated upstream regulation of MMPs can be induced by C. pneumoniae within atheromatous plaque itself. These findings help to understand the potential role of C. pneumoniae in the progression of atherosclerosis.
Aged ; Animals ; Arteriosclerosis/complications/enzymology/*microbiology/*pathology ; Blotting, Western ; Chlamydia Infections/*complications/enzymology/epidemiology/immunology ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae/immunology/*pathogenicity ; Disease Progression ; Extracellular Matrix/enzymology ; Female ; Gelatinases/*metabolism ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/*metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins/*metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infection in 110 patients with respiratory tract infection admitted to our hospital from January to December 1995 in Nanjing.

METHODSSputum and throat swab specimens were taken and C. pneumoniae DNA was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the HM-1-HR-1 primer pair. At the same time, serum samples were taken and immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) fractions of antibodies to C. pneumoniae were studied by microimmunofluorescence test.

RESULTSPrevalence of specific IgG was 70% in patients with respiratory tract infection. Seventeen patients (15.5%) were serologically diagnosed as having recent C. pneumoniae infections and 12 patients (10.9%) had positive PCR in sputum and/or swab specimens. The total positive rate was 22.7% (25/110) detected by PCR combined with serological tests. Acute infection of C. pneumoniae was common in patients with asthma (57.1%), pneumonia (35.0%), COPD (25.9%) and bronchitis (25.0%). Clinical features between C. pneumoniae infection and non-C. pneumonia infection showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONSChlamydia pneumoniae is an important pathogen that causes infection of the human respiratory tract and attention should be drawn to this special illness.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; genetics ; immunology ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; blood ; microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Local epidemiologic data on the etiologies of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is needed to develop guidelines for clinical practice. This study was conducted prospectively to determine the proportion of atypical bacterial pathogens in adults patients hospitalized with CAP in Korea between October 2001 and December 2002. Microbiological diagnosis was determined by serology for antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneu-mophila. Nucleic acid of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae in respiratory samples and Legionella antigen in urine samples were detected. The study population consisted of 126 patients (71 males, 55 females), averaging 54.6 yr (SD+/-17.8), whose paired sera were available. An etiologic diagnosis for atypical pathogens was made in 18 patients (14.3%): C. pneumoniae 9 (7.1%), M. pneumoniae 8 (6.3%), and L. pneumophila 3 patients (2.4%). Streptococcus preumoniae and other typical pathogens were isolated from 36 patients (28.6%). Of 126 patients, 16 (12.7%) were admitted to intensive care unit and atypical pathogens were identified in 5 patients (31.3%). Initial clinical features of patients with pneumonia due to atypical, typical or undetermined pathogens were indistinguishable. We conclude that atypical pathogens should be seriously considered in hospitalized patients with CAP, when initiating empiric treatment in Korea.
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Prospective Studies ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pneumonia, Bacterial/blood/*microbiology/urine ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Legionella pneumophila/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Korea ; Humans ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Community-Acquired Infections/microbiology ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Antigens, Bacterial/urine ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Aged ; Adult

BACKGROUND: The current techniques for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) remain limited by restenosis. Recent studies have provided evidence of inflammation playing a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Whether inflammatory markers are predictors of subsequent restenosis were prospectively tested in 272 consecutive patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease. Patients having undergone PCI at Chonnam National University Hospital, between Sept. 1999 and Mar. 2001, were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of restenosis on a follow-up coronary angiogram: Group I were patients with restenosis (n=99, 59.5 +/- 10.8 years, M: F=77: 22) and Group II were those without restenosis (n=173, 58.8 +/- 10.2 years, M: F=131: 42). The IgG seropositivity, cytomegalovirus (CMV) titers, C. pneumoniae, H. pylori and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the seropositivity of the CMV IgG C. pneumoniae IgG and H. pylori IgG between the two groups (Groups I vs. II: 100 vs. 100%, 24.7 vs. 25.7% and 62.2 vs. 63.7%, respectively). Of the angiographic parameters, a low Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow (TIMI 0 or I) was more common in Group I than Group II (p=0.038). The patients with an elevated CRP (> 0.5 mg/dL) were more common in Group I than Group II (57.6 vs. 36.4%, p=0.001), with the CRP values being higher in Group I than Group II (3.3 +/- 5.8 vs. 1.3 +/- 2.6 mg/dL, p=0.001). According to a multiple logistic regression analysis, the CRP was the only predictor of restenosis, with an odds ratio of 2.1169 (95% C.I. 1.2062-3.7154, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The CRP value is the most important predictor of restenosis after PCI.
*Angioplasty, Transluminal, Percutaneous Coronary ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Biological Markers/analysis ; C-Reactive Protein/*analysis ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae/immunology ; Comparative Study ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Restenosis/*blood/diagnosis/*therapy ; Cytomegalovirus/immunology ; Female ; Helicobacter pylori/immunology ; Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence