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ABSTRACT: In order to investigate whether circulating immune complexes containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigens mediate pulmonary damage in cystic fibrosis, we studied lung function, serum immune complex levels, and immunoglobulin concentrations in relationship to chronic pseudomonas colonisation in 69 affected children. Sixteen of the children with cystic fibrosis had increased levels of immune complexes which contained pseudomonas antigens. There was no significant relationship between lung function corrected for the effect of chronic pseudomonas colonisation and the presence of such complexes or increased levels of complexes detected by Cl1 binding or raised serum immunoglobulin concentrations. Our results suggest that these abnormalities in cystic fibrosis are secondary effects of chronic infection and they do not provide evidence for immune complex mediated lung damage in this disease.
Archives of Disease in Childhood 09/1982; 57(8):577-81. · 2.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The clinical significance of the high prevalence of positive immediate skin tests in cystic fibrosis is unclear. Using analysis of variance, we have tested the hypothesis that patients with allergic cystic fibrosis have worse lung disease than non-allergic patients. Clinical data, skin prick tests, total or specific IgE antibody levels, chest radiographs, and pulmonary function tests were obtained in 104 cystic fibrosis patients. Patients with positive immediate skin reactions to at least one allergen were more likely to be persistently colonised by Pseudomonas aeruginosa than skin test negative patients. The skin test positive patients were also significantly older (mean difference 2.15 years). Analysis of variance showed that pseudomonas infection was the most significant factor contributing to lung damage and the effect of allergy was not significant. Similar longitudinal analysis of pulmonary function over 5 years and study of the hospital admission rate showed that the only statistically significant factor associated with deterioration was colonisation with P. aeruginosa.
Archives of Disease in Childhood 09/1982; 57(8):582-6. · 2.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Serum concentrations of ovalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, and antigen-antibody complexes were measured after jejunal administration of milk and raw egg in 6 children with active coeliac disease and in 4 controls. The results did not support the hypothesis of a generalised increase in absorption of antigens from the intestinal lumen in coeliac disease.
Archives of Disease in Childhood 07/1982; 57(6):462-6. · 2.88 Impact Factor
