Antibody response to P-protein in patients with Branhamella catarrhalis infections

Article Abstract:

Branhamella catarrhalis is know to cause lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, in adults. The elderly are especially at risk for this infection. Currently, diagnosis is made by the isolation of this organism in cultures of sputum samples from the patients. A better method of diagnosis has been suggested based on an enzyme-linked immunoassay test (ELISA; a test that uses immune response to indicate presence of a pathogen) that uses P-protein. P-protein is used as an antigen (substance that induces immune response) in this test, which measured antibodies against B. catarrhalis. P-protein is an outer membrane protein that is known to be specific to B. catarrhalis. This test was performed on 17 patients with B. catarrhalis pneumonia, 17 normal individuals, and on 12 patients with B. catarrhalis tracheobronchitis. Serum samples were taken and analyzed in all subjects, and no differences in antibodies against P-protein were found between the patients with pneumonia and the patients with tracheobronchitis. Although antibodies were detected in the normal subjects, concentrations were lower than in the two patient groups. Significant increases in antibodies were observed in the convalescent phase of the disease in both groups of patients; a 46 percent serum antibody increase was measured in the pneumonia patients, and a 50 percent increase was noted in those with tracheobronchitis. The antibody response to P-protein associated with B. catarrhalis infection was demonstrated, but the use of this test for diagnostic purposes is still problematic. Problems include the unpredictability of antibody concentration in the acute and convalescent stages of disease, and the fact that antibody levels may occur in normal healthy individuals. Before this test can be useful for diagnosis, appropriate baseline levels for different patient populations must be established, and changes in concentrations in patients over time must be determined. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Bacterial infections

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Spectrum of disease due to Branhamella catarrhalis in children with particular reference to acute otitis media

Article Abstract:

The bacteria Branhamella catarrhalis are found in the respiratory tracts of healthy individuals, but in recent years, this organism has also been increasingly associated with respiratory infections. In addition, B. catarrhalis can cause sinusitis and acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in children. This type of bacteria has been examined in conjunction with childhood disease, and the biologic and clinical features of otitis media due to this infection have been reported. B. catarrhalis is associated with other types of infections, including infections of the eye, especially among very young infants, and with genitourinary tract infections, which are less common. Respiratory infections from this type of bacteria are more common among adults, but also occur in children. Otitis media is the most common manifestation of this infection in children. B. catarrhalis infections resulting in otitis media typically have fewer symptoms than those caused by other pathogens. Symptoms for the most part resemble those of other bacterial infections, and include fever, earache, and abnormalities in white and red blood cell counts. However, with B. catarrhalis infection, concentrations of C-reactive protein, associated with inflammatory response, are lower than with infections caused by other common pathogens. Several beta-lactamase-producing strains of B. catarrhalis have been isolated from patients with otitis media. The full implications of this finding from a therapeutic point of view are not known. B. catarrhalis causes a wide spectrum of disease and is especially significant in acute otitis media in children. More information is needed on the nature of surface antigens and host response to the infection, as well as the pathogenicity of this organism. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Otitis media

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Respiratory infections caused by Branhamella catarrhalis: selected epidemiologic features

Article Abstract:

Branhamella catarrhalis is a type of bacteria known to cause acute ear infections in children and is associated with bronchopulmonary infections in adults. In particular, B. catarrhalis has been observed in patients with underlying illness, and the presence of the bacteria is associated with certain risk factors for other infections. The available literature on the epidemiology of B. catarrhalis related to respiratory tract infections has been reviewed. Records of the Veterans Administration were used to examine epidemiologic aspects in patients where B. catarrhalis was isolated. These results were compared with cases of B. catarrhalis isolated in pure cultures, and in conjunction with Hemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Over a 42-month period, 2.7 percent of all respiratory infections involved B. catarrhalis. When compared with the prevalence of the other two bacteria, B. catarrhalis was found to be the second most common bacteria that was isolated and associated with respiratory infections. Pure cultures were obtained in 53 percent of the cases examined and B. catarrhalis was frequently identified in conjunction with H. influenzae and C. pneumoniae. The peak seasonal period for B. catarrhalis infections was between November and May. Adults with underlying cardiopulmonary disease are especially vulnerable to this genus of bacteria, which causes lower respiratory tract infections. Further research is recommended to better identify low- and high-risk groups for this infection, and to obtain an understanding of the seasonal patterns that this infection seems to follow. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Lungs, Lung, Identification and classification

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