Levels of serum IgG antibodies to somatic antigens of Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined in 127 healthy people, 37 patients with chronic bronchitis and 20 patients with bronchiectasis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The logarithmic mean titers of antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were significantly higher in the patients with chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis than in healthy people. The invasion rate of Haemophilus influenzae was identical in healthy people, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, while that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was significantly lower in healthy people than in chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis patients. These results indicate that patients with chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis may often have recurrence and are easily infected because of lowered defense mechanisms in the respiratory tract.
Adult Aged