Cpn IgG Research Articles

Longitudinal analysis of quality of life in primary lung cancer patients with chlamydia pneumoniae infection: a time-to-deterioration model

BackgroundChlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) IgG and IgA has been strongly linked to lung cancer, but its impact on patients' quality of life remains unclear. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between pre-treatment Cpn IgG and IgA and time to deterioration (TTD) of the HRQoL in patients with primary lung cancer.MethodsA prospective hospital-based study was conducted from June 2017 to December 2018, enrolling 82 patients with primary lung cancer admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University for questionnaire surveys. Cpn IgG and IgA was detected by microimmunofluorescence method. HRQoL was assessed at baseline and during follow-up using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer (EORTC QLQ-LC13). HRQoL scores were calculated using the QoLR package, and TTD events were determined (minimum clinically significant difference = 5 points). Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of Cpn IgG and IgA on HRQoL.ResultsWe investigated the relationship between Cpn IgG and IgA and quality of life in patients with primary lung cancer. The study was found that 75.61% of cases were Cpn IgG + and 45.12% were Cpn IgA + . Cpn IgA + IgG + was 41.46%. For EORTC QLQ-C30, Physical function (PF) and Pain (PA) TTD events on the functional scale and Symptom scale were the most common during follow-up. After adjusting for gender and smoking status, Pre-treatment Cpn IgA + was found to signifcantly delay TTD of Physical functioning(HR = 0.539, 95% CI: 0.291–0.996, P = 0.048). In addition, Cpn IgG + before treatment significantly delayed TTD in Emotional functioning (HR = 0.310, 95% CI: 0.115–0.836, P = 0.021). For EORTC QLQ-LC13, deterioration of dyspnea (LC-DY) was the most common event. However, Cpn IgG and IgA before treatment had no effect on the TTD of EORTC QLQ-LC13 items.ConclusionsAccording to EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13, Cpn IgA delayed TTD in Physical functioning and Cpn IgG delayed TTD in Emotional functioning.

The age and residence impact on IgE serum level in patients with allergic asthma

Abstract Background: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) has a role in mediating allergic reactions and their powerful effector functions, but numerous factors influence its value. Objective: To find any difference in total and specific IgE serum levels at the different age groups and residences. Materials and Methods: Eighty-seven asthmatic children, including 57 males and 30 females with asthma aged between 1 and 16 years old, 32.2% living in rural and 67.8% living in urban, were collected at Kerbala Teaching Hospital for Children. All asthmatic children in this study were subjected to measuring total IgE level using AccuBind IgE ELISA kit, Human Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG using Cpn IgG ELISA kit, and Human C. pneumoniae IgE using Cpn IgE ELISA kit. Results: There was a significant positive linear correlation between age and total IgE level and a significant negative correlation between age and C. pneumoniae IgE in asthmatic children (0.255, P = 0.017, -0.233, P = 0.03, respectively). Further, there was a significant positive linear correlation between total IgE and C. pneumoniae IgE under age controlling (0.225, P = 0.019). In urban residents, the asthmatic children more than eleven years old had a low C. pneumonia IgE serum level (5.845 ± 1.821 ng/L) compared with asthmatic children who lived in rural areas (8.206 ± 2.793 ng/L). Depending on age groups, there was a significant difference (P = 0.047) in C. pneumonia IgE serum levels in asthmatic children who lived in urban areas. Conclusion: C. pneumonia-specific IgE decreased in early adulthood urban asthmatic children.

Combined and interaction effect of chlamydia pneumoniae infection and smoking on lung cancer: a case-control study in Southeast China

BackgroundThis case-control study investigated the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and the combined and interaction effect of Cpn infection, smoking, and various environmental factors.MethodsThe study comprised 449 lung cancer patients and 512 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants provided a 5 ml fasting peripheral venous blood sample for testing Cpn-specific IgG and IgA by using micro-immunofluorescence. Besides analyzing the associations between Cpn and lung cancer, combined effect analysis, logistic regression, and the Excel table made by Andersson were used to analyze the combined and interaction effects of Cpn and environmental factors on lung cancer.ResultsCompared to those with no evidence of serum Cpn IgA or Cpn IgG, those with both Cpn IgG+ and IgA+ had 2.00 times the risk (95% CI: 1.34–3.00) of developing lung cancer. Cpn IgG+ or IgA+ was associated with a significantly increased risk of lung cancer among smokers; the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.10–2.91) and 2.27 (95% CI: 1.38–3.72), respectively. Those exposed to passive smoking with Cpn IgG+ or IgA+ also showed an increased risk of lung cancer; the adjusted OR was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.20–2.77) or 1.87 (95% CI: 1.22–2.87), respectively. Similar results were also observed among alcohol drinkers. Multiplicative and additive interactions were not observed between Cpn infection and environmental factors. The combined effects of Cpn IgG+ or IgA+ with smoking, passive smoking, and family history of cancer on lung cancer were determined.ConclusionCpn infection is potentially associated with primary lung cancer in the Chinese Han population and has combined effects with smoking, passive smoking, and family history of cancer.

Analysis of CPn0308 Immunogenicity in the Infected Patients with CPn

Objectives To analyze CPn0308 immunogenicity in the CPn infected patients with ICVD. Methods ①Clinical blood samples and separate plasma from blood and extract the DNA from PBMC were collected. ②The CPn IgG and CPn IgM were detected by using CPn specified diagnose kit. ③CPn DNA from PBMC was assayed by using PCR.④Imunogenicity of the endogenous CPn0308 was analyzed by Western Blotting. Results①Among the 70 patients with ICVD, the positive rate of CPn IgG was 51.43%, and it was higher than that of control; The positive rate of CPn IgM was 2.86%, and that of control was 8.47%. ②The positive rate of CPn DNA in PBMC from patients with ICVD was 81.08%，and it was higher than that of control. ③After plasma samples were diluted as 1:500, the antibodies to endogenous CPn0308 were still detected by using Western Blotting. The reaction was blocked after the plasma was pre-absorbed with GST-CPn0308 beads ahead, but not pre-absorbed with GST-CPn0186 beads. Conclusion ①There is an increase in the positive rate of CPn IgG in the patients with ICVD. ②The positive rate of CPn DNA in PBMC from the patients with ICVD is higher than that of the control. The positive rate for CPn by PCR is higher than that of EIA, and CPn DNA detection is a more sensitive method. ③The studies preliminarily demonstrate that CPn0308 has immunogenicity in the individual infected with CPn.

Correlation between chlamydia pneumoniae IgG positive in lung cancer patients and cytokines related to radiation-induced pulmonary lesion

背景与目的肺炎衣原体感染与肺癌有密切关系，但肺炎衣原体感染对肺癌放射性肺损伤的影响尚未见报道。本研究旨在探讨肺癌患者肺炎衣原体（chlamydia pneumoniae, Cpn）IgG阳性对放射性肺损伤相关细胞因子的影响。方法观察有病理诊断、初次胸部放疗肺癌患者69例，分别于放疗前、放疗中和放疗后采血冻存，采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血液中Cpn的IgG以及IL-1β、SP-A、TGF-β、TNF-α的含量。结果69例肺癌患者中Cpn IgG阳性21例，阴性48例，阳性率为30.43%。Cpn IgG阳性组与阴性组放疗中IL-1β浓度分别为（35.82±10.09）ng/L和（30.01±6.46）ng/L，两组之间有差异无统计学意义（P < 0.05），放疗前和放疗后无明显差异。Cpn IgG阳性组与阴性组放疗前SP-A的浓度差异无统计学意义，放疗中分别为（641.78±106.81）ng/L和（100.86±61.4）ng/L，有统计学差异（P < 0.05），放疗后浓度分别（657.47±115.19）ng/L和（93.23±47.15）ng/L，也有统计学差异（P < 0.05）。Cpn IgG阳性组与阴性组放疗前、放疗中、放疗后TNF-α浓度两组之间均无统计学差异。Cpn IgG阳性组放疗前、放疗中、放疗后TGF-β1的浓度分别（710.67±358.16）pg/mL、（1, 002.06±542.16）pg/mL和（2, 125.16±1, 522.29）pg/mL，阴性组分别为（867.77±412.48）pg/mL、（914.05±425.70）pg/mL和（1, 073.36±896.01）pg/mL，两组之间比较放疗后TGF-β1浓度有统计学差异（P < 0.05）。结论肺癌患者Cpn IgG阳性一定程度上提高了放射性肺损伤相关细胞因子SP-A、TGF -β1、IL-1β的水平，提示可能加重肺癌患者的放射性肺损伤。

Atypical pathogens in adult patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia

To investigate the current status of atypical pathogen associated infections in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults, and their clinical attributes. Clinical data, sputum specimens from acute phase, and paired sera from acute- and convalescent-phases of CAP in 153 adult patients were collected from May 2005 to May 2008 in multiple medical centers. Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) IgG antibody, and Legionella pneumophila (LP) mixed IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were determined by indirect immuno-fluorescent assay. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mpn) mixed IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were determined by passive agglutination assay. All the sputum specimens were routinely cultured for bacterial isolation. Fifty-two (34%) out of the 153 cases were diagnosed as atypical CAP per the paired serum-antibody assay. Forty-seven of the 52 atypical CAP cases were infected by one atypical pathogen, 38 with Cpn, 4 with Mpn, and 5 with LP, while 5 out of the 52 atypical CAP cases were infected by 2 pathogens, Cpn and Mpnin 2, Cpn and LP in 3 cases. Eleven cases (21.2%) out of the 52 patients with atypical pneumonia were complicated with bacterial infection. Except peripheral white blood count was significant increased in the group of typical (bacterial only) pneumonia (WBC > 10 × 10⁹)/L, P = 0.03), all the other clinical parameters did not show statistically significant difference between the typical and the atypical pneumonia groups. Our data suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila are common pathogens of adult CAP. Chlamydia pneumoniae might be the most frequent atypical pathogen associated with atypical CAP.

The effect of azithromycin and Chlamydophilia pneumonia infection on expansion of small abdominal aortic aneurysms - A prospective randomized double-blind trial

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of azithromycin on the expansion rate of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), and to determine whether or not a correlation exists between serological markers for Chlamydophilia pneumonia (Cpn) infection and AAA expansion. Nine vascular centers were included and 259 patients were invited to participate. Ten patients declined and 2 patients had chronic kidney failure, leaving a total of 247 patients. Inclusion criteria were: AAA 35-49 mm and age <80 years. Patients were randomized to receive either azithromycin (Azithromax, Pfizer Inc, New York, NY) 600 mg once daily for 3 days and then 600 mg once weekly for 15 weeks, or placebo in identical tablets. The ultrasound scans were performed in a standardized way within a month before inclusion and every 6 months for a minimum follow-up time of 18 months. Cpn serology was analyzed in blood samples taken at inclusion and 6 months later. Serum was analyzed for Cpn IgA and IgG antibodies by microimmunofluorescence (MIF). Computed tomography (CT) scans were done in 66 patients at inclusion and at 1 year for volume calculations. Thirty-four patients were excluded, ie, could not be followed for 18 months, 20 in the placebo group and 16 in the active treatment group. A total of 211 patients had at least two measurements and all were analyzed in an intention-to-treat analysis. Detectable IgA against Cpn was found in 115 patients and detectable IgG against Cpn in 160 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups regarding median expansion rate measured by ultrasound scan (0.22 cm/year, interquartile range [IQR]: 0.09 to 0.34 in the placebo group vs 0.22, IQR: 0.12 to 0.36 in the treatment group, P = .85). Volume calculation did not change that outcome (10.4 cm(3)/year in the placebo group vs 15.9 cm(3)/year in the treatment group, P = .61). No correlation was found between serological markers for Cpn infection and the expansion rate. Patients taking statins in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) had significantly reduced expansion rate compared to patients who did not take statins or ASA, 0.14 cm/year vs 0.27 cm/year, P < .001. Azithromycin did not have any effect on AAA expansion. No correlation was found between serological markers for Cpn and AAA expansion, indicating no clinical relevance for Cpn testing in AAA surveillance. However, a significant reduction in AAA expansion rate was found in patients treated with a combination of ASA and statins.

Usefulness of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays species specific in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG antibodies in patients with genital infections or respiratory tract infections

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cpn) are obligate intracellular bacteria causing genital tract infections (GTI) and respiratory tract infections (RTI), respectively. Antigenic cross-reactivity between the two species may complicate serologic diagnosis. In this study, we compared the performance of two ELISA tests in relation to microimmunofluorescence (MIF) for the detection of Ct and Cpn IgG antibodies. We also explored the degree of cross-reactivity by ELISA and MIF. Among 278 positive sera for Cpn and/or Ct IgG antibodies in the MIF, 153 were from patients with GTI and 125 were from patients with RTI. These sera were tested by our in house MIF test and by two commercial ELISA: SeroCP and SeroCT for the detection of anti-Cpn IgG antibodies and anti-Ct IgG antibodies, respectively. In sera from patients with RTI, correlation between MIF and SeroCP was 92%. The specificity of this test was 38.5%. In fact, among the 140 sera from patients with GTI and that cross-reacted in MIF, only six were confirmed by the two ELISA tests as having IgG antibodies to Ct. The correlation between MIF and SeroCT was 80%. The specificity of this test was 100%. Indeed, among the 65 sera from patients with RTI with cross-reactions in MIF, 30 sera showed a negative SeroCT test. SeroCT was highly specific and could diminish considerably the extent of cross-reactions. Whilst, SeroCP test was not specific enough to distinguish between the presence of IgG antibodies and Cpn or Ct.

No prognostic significance of chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae in acute coronary syndromes: Insights from the Global Utilization of Strategies to Open Occluded Arteries IV Acute Coronary Syndromes trial

Although relationships between chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection and the risk of coronary events in stable coronary artery disease patients have been reported, a similar link in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients has not been consistently observed. In a nested case-control substudy of the Global Utilization of Strategies to Open Occluded Arteries IV Acute Coronary Syndromes trial, 295 cases (30-day death/myocardial infarction [MI]) were matched by age, sex, baseline creatine kinase-myocardial kinase, and smoking status with 295 control subjects. To test the hypothesis on 1-year mortality, another subset (n = 276) was drawn from the 590-patient cohort; 138 patients who died at 1 year plus the matching controls who survived at 1 year. We measured Cpn IgG and IgA antibody titers in baseline serum with microimmunofluorescence. Conditional logistic regression was used to quantify the prognostic relevance seropositivity (IgG > or = 1:32; IgA > or = 1:16) and elevated titer levels. The prevalence of Cpn IgG and IgA was similar between cases and controls (30-day death/MI: IgG, 80% vs 85%, P = .126; IgA, 45% vs 37%, P = .079), and were not statistically significant predictors of 30-day death/MI after baseline adjustment. Likewise, the 1-year death cohort had comparable proportions of Cpn IgG and IgA among cases and controls (86% vs 91% [P = .265] and 49% vs 43% [P = .334], respectively), and did not add prognostic value. These findings are in concert with study results suggesting that chronic Cpn infection is not associated with 30-day death/MI or 1-year mortality in non-ST elevation ACS.

Interaction between Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity, inflammation and risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary stenosis

Objective. To investigate whether Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) seropositivity in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 81) is associated with increases in markers of inflammation, the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events. Material and methods. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was ranked by Gensini score. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were evaluated using white blood cell counts and levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), ferritin, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukins 1β and 6 (IL‐1β, IL‐6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), E‐selectin and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and these were compared between Cpn‐seropositive and seronegative individuals. Results. IgA and IgG Cpn seropositivity were significantly associated with the presence of CAD (p = 0.005) and were independent predictive factors for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis (p = 0.005). Elevated levels of IL‐6 (p = 0.027) and triglyceride (p = 0.038) and low levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) (p = 0.038) were significantly predicted by Cpn IgA and IgG seropositivity. Conclusions. Seropositivity for Cpn is a risk factor for patients with significant angiographically documented coronary stenosis. Additionally, Cpn seropositivity was significantly associated with dyslipidemia and elevated IL‐6, known risk factors for CAD. These observations indicate that Cpn infection may be one entry point to the causal or contributory pathways that lead to atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations.

Correlation of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with primary biliary cirrhosis

To evaluate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Cpn IgG and IgM were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 41 well-established PBC patients and two race-matched control groups (post-hepatitis cirrhosis, n = 70; healthy controls, n = 57). The mean level and seroprevalence of Cpn IgG in PBC group and post-hepatitis cirrhosis (PHC) group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (46.8+/-43.4 RU/mL, 49.5+/-45.2 RU/mL vs 28.3+/-32.7 RU/mL; 68.3%, 71.4%, 42.1%, respectively; P<0.05). There was a remarkably elevated seroprevalence of Cpn IgM in patients with PBC (22.0%) compared to the PHC and healthy control (HC) groups. For the PBC patients versus the HCs, the odds ratios (ORs) of the presence of Cpn IgG and IgM were 2.7 (95% CI 0.9-6.1) and 5.1 (95% CI 1.4-18.5), respectively. Though there was no correlation in the level of Cpn IgG with total IgG in sera of patients with PBC (r = -0.857, P = 0.344>0.05), Cpn IgM was related with the abnormally high concentrations of total IgM in PBC group. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae may be a triggering agent or even a causative agent in PBC, but suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection probably contributes to the high level of IgM present in most patients with PBC.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

The objective of the study was to investigate the possible association of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Thirty-eight acutely exacerbated COPD patients and 17 healthy smokers were enrolled in the study, as the study and control groups respectively. Nasopharyngeal swabs and paired serum samples for antibody testing of Cpn (microimmunofluorescence—MIF) were obtained from all subjects. Sputum cultures of COPD patients were also performed. No pathogenic bacteria were isolated from naso-pharyngeal swabs in any subject. Serologic evidence of recent Cpn infection was observed in 13 (34%) COPD patients and in one (5%) control subject. The prevalence of Cpn IgG and IgM antibodies representing acute infection were significantly higher in COPD patients than in control subjects (P<0·05 and P<0·01 respectively). Prevalence of IgA antibodies and IgG pre-existing antibodies did not show any difference (P>0·05). Microbiologic culture of the sputa yielded potentially pathogenic micro-organisms in 23 of 38 (60%) COPD patients. Alpha-haemolytic streptococcus (35%),Niesseria spp. (31%) and Candida spp. (9·5%) were most prominent micro-organisms in positive cultures. Although a high prevalence of IgG antibodies against Cpn was detected, it was the sole causative agent in only four (10%) patients. We conclude that a remarkable number of COPD patients (34%) are acutely infected with Cpn and it may either be the sole causative agent or frequently a co-agent in acute exacerbations.