Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: In the stage 1 study respiratory specimens from 42 patients with steady state chronic bronchitis were analysed for Gram staining, sputum culture, and C pneumoniae DNA detection by nested touchdown polymerase chain reaction (PCR). On the basis of the results of stage 1, a second population of 141 consecutive patients with steady state mild to moderate chronic bronchitis (FEV(1) >or=50% predicted) was studied. On admission, at regular intervals, and at exacerbation all patients underwent serological testing for C pneumoniae (microimmunofluorescence) and a nested touchdown PCR to detect C pneumoniae DNA was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Patients were assessed over a 12 month period. Information regarding the previous 12 months was taken from medical records. RESULTS: Chronic colonisation of the sputum with C pneumoniae was significantly associated with lower FEV(1) and greater airway bacterial colonisation. On admission to the stage 2 study, 80 patients were PCR negative and 61 were PCR positive. Over the 2 years a mean (SD) of 1.43 (1.32) acute exacerbations occurred in PCR negative patients and 2.03 (1.21) in PCR positive patients (p<0.01). During the 12 month follow up period 34 PCR positive patients had acute exacerbations and were treated with azithromycin for 6 weeks. Serological evidence of acute C pneumoniae reinfection/reactivation was found in two of the 34 patients. The rate of C pneumoniae DNA clearance from blood following treatment was 29% at follow up. CONCLUSION: Chronic colonisation with C pneumoniae is associated with a higher rate of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Long term treatment is required to obtain clearance of the organism from the blood.
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Authors | F Blasi, S Damato, R Cosentini, P Tarsia, R Raccanelli, S Centanni, L Allegra, Chlamydia InterAction with COPD (CIAC) Study Group |
Journal | Thorax
(Thorax)
Vol. 57
Issue 8
Pg. 672-6
(Aug 2002)
ISSN: 0040-6376 [Print] England |
PMID | 12149525
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Bronchitis, Chronic
(microbiology)
- Chlamydophila Infections
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae
- Female
- Forced Expiratory Volume
(physiology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
(methods)
- Prospective Studies
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