Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic inflammatory or degenerative condition of one or more bronchi or bronchioles of the lungs marked by dilatation and loss of elasticity of the walls. This results in airflow obstruction and impaired clearance of secretions. People with bronchiectasis produce large amounts of sputum. more...

Home
Diseases
A
B
Babesiosis
Bacterial endocarditis
Bacterial food poisoning
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial pneumonia
Balantidiasis
Bangstad syndrome
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Barrett syndrome
Barth syndrome
Basal cell carcinoma
Bathophobia
Batrachophobia
Batten disease
Becker's muscular dystrophy
Becker's nevus
Behcet syndrome
Behr syndrome
Bejel
Bell's palsy
Benign congenital hypotonia
Benign essential tremor...
Benign fasciculation...
Benign paroxysmal...
Berdon syndrome
Berger disease
Beriberi
Berylliosis
Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann...
Bibliophobia
Bicuspid aortic valve
Biliary atresia
Binswanger's disease
Biotinidase deficiency
Bipolar disorder
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
Blastoma
Blastomycosis
Blepharitis
Blepharospasm
Bloom syndrome
Blue diaper syndrome
Blue rubber bleb nevus
Body dysmorphic disorder
Boil
Borreliosis
Botulism
Bourneville's disease
Bowen's disease
Brachydactyly
Brachydactyly type a1
Bradykinesia
Bright's disease
Brittle bone disease
Bromidrosiphobia
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiolotis obliterans...
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Brown-Sequard syndrome
Brucellosis
Brugada syndrome
Bubonic plague
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Buerger's disease
Bulimia nervosa
Bullous pemphigoid
Burkitt's lymphoma
Byssinosis
Cavernous angioma
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Medicines

Bronchiectasis was first described by René Laënnec in 1819 and later detailed by Sir William Osler in the late 1800s.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of bronchiectasis is based on a clinical history of daily viscous sputum production and characteristic CT scan findings (such as multiple cysts near the bottom of the lung).

Treatment

Treatment of bronchiectasis is aimed at controlling infections and bronchial secretions, relieving airway obstruction, and preventing complications. This includes fighting infections with antibiotics and eliminating the fluid with postural drainage and chest physiotherapy.

Causes

It is characteristic in a number of conditions, particularly Kartagener syndrome.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Antibody production deficiency with normal IgG levels in bronchiectasis of unknown etiology
From CHEST, 1/1/05 by Montserrat Vendrell

Background: No defined cause of bronchiectasis is currently found in approximately 50% of cases. Bronchiectasis is a common long-term complication in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia. Study objectives: To ascertain whether antibody production deficiency with normal total serum IgG levels is associated with bronchiectasis.

Design: Antibody response to a pneumococcal unconjugate vaccine and an Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine was prospectively studied in all consecutive adult patients with bronchiectasis of unknown etiology who were assessed in our chest outpatient clinic from January 1994 to October 2001. Serum-specific antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the results were compared with those obtained in a healthy adult control group. Antibody production deficiency was defined as a failure to respond to either vaccine. Results: One hundred seven patients were included in the study (mean age, 46.3 years). Antibody production deficiency was diagnosed in 12 patients (11%). A significantly higher incidence of otitis media, lower serum Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels, and lower preimmunization antibody levels to Streptococcus pneumoniae and H influenzae type b were observed in patients with antibody production deficiency. The probability of antibody production deficiency in patients with a history of otitis media was 20%, 26% in those with low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels, and 58% in those with both a history of otitis media and low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels.

Conclusions: Antibody production deficiency with normal IgG levels may be associated with bronchiectasis, making it advisable to evaluate the antibody response to both the H influenzae and pneumococcal vaccines in patients with bronchiectasis of unknown etiology, particularly in those with a history of otitis media, low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels, and low levels of baseline specific antibodies.

(CHEST 2005; 127:197-204)

Key words antibody deficiency; bronchiectasis; Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine; pneumococcal vaccine; primary immunodeficiency

Abbreviations: CF = cystic fibrosis; CI = confidence interval; Hib = Haemophilus influenzae type b

*********

Bronchiectasis represents the end stage of a variety of pathologic processes. With the decline in incidence of postinfectious conditions, other extrinsic insults or intrinsic defects that predispose to bronchial inflammation or respiratory infection are likely to be more significant in the etiology of bronchiectasis. However, no defined cause is currently found in approximately 50% of cases. (1)

Bronchiectasis is a common long-term complication in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia, such as X-linked agammaglobulinemia2 and common variable immunodeficiency. (3) The diagnosis of these immunodeficiencies can be readily suspected from a serum electrophoresis, and early diagnosis has significant implications for prognosis and management since Ig-replacement therapy may prevent progression of lung damage. (4,5) Other more selective defects of the humoral system, such as selective IgG subclass deficiency, (6) have been associated with bronehiectasis. (1,7-9) However, since low levels of IgG subclasses have also been described in healthy adults, (10) additional evaluation of antibody production is recommended to facilitate the diagnosis of humoral immunodefieiency and selection of patients to receive Ig therapy. (11)

Failure to produce antibodies to polysaccharide vaccines, however, has been reported in a healthy population (12) and in patients with recurrent respiratory infections and normal serum IgG levels. (13-15) In some eases, however, this lack of response can be overcome by administration of a polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine. (16-21) For this reason, the joint evaluation of immune response to a polysaccharide vaccine and a polysaccharide conjugate vaccine appears to be more appropriate to complete the screening for antibody production deficiency. (22)

To ascertain whether antibody production deficiency with normal total serum IgG levels is associated with bronchiectasis, we studied the antibody response to both the pneumococcal unconjugate vaccine and the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine in adult patients with bronchiectasis of unknown etiology.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From January 1994 to October 2001, we studied all consecutive adult patients with bronchiectasis who were assessed in our chest outpatient clinic. A questionnaire was completed for every patient, providing information on smoking habits, drugs used in treatment, and history of infectious and pulmonary diseases. Patients were excluded if they had any recognized cause of bronchiectasis: a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, aspiration or inhalation injury, lung abscess or childhood respiratory infections (pertussis, measles); evidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) [sweat test and CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene analysis; Applied Biosystems; Foster City, CA], (23) allergic bronchopulmouary aspergillosis, [[alpha].sub.l]-antitrypsin deficiency, Kartagener syndrome, Young syndrome, congenital defects, bronchial obstruction, hypogammaglobulinemia, secondary immunodeficiencies, any disease or drug intake that might affect antibody production, or other systemic diseases associated with bronchiectasis. (24)

Bronchiectasis was diagnosed clinically and by high-resolution CT scan. The presence and extent of bronchiectasis were graded as follows: involvement of one lobe, two lobes, bilateral involvement, and involvement of more than three lobes.

Patients were immunized intramuscularly with Hib conjugate vaccine (PedvaxHIB; Merck Sharp & Dohme; West Point, PA) and polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine (PNU-Immune 23; Lederle Laboratories Division; Pearl River, NY). (12,22) Blood samples were drawn immediately before and 21 days after vaccination. Patients were required to have no evidence of exacerbations during the month preceding vaccination. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Vail d'Hebron Hospitals.

Serum total IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were measured by kinetic nephelometry, and IgG subclasses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. (7,25) Reference values in adults were 850 to 1,600 mg/dL for IgG, 261 to 1,081 mg/dL for Ig[G.sub.1], 112 to 408 mg/dL for Ig[G.sub.2], 22 to 288 mg/dL for Ig[G.sub.3], and 5 to 156 mg/dL for Ig[G.sub.4]. (7,25) Hypogammaglobulinemia was defined as a serum IgG level < 400 mg/dL, IgA deficiency as undetectable IgA serum concentrations (< 7 mg/dL), and low levels of IgG subclasses as serum levels below reference values. (7)

Antibodies to pneumococcal and Hib antigens were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as previously described; (12,22) the pneumococcai vaccine and an Hib oligosaccharide conjugated to human serum albumin were used as antigens. (12,22)

The control group was made up of 79 prospectively enrolled healthy adult volunteers, 40 of whom (mean age, 29.5 years) were studied to establish a criterion for a normal response to the pneumococcal vaccine, and 59 of whom (mean age, 32 years) to establish a criterion for a normal response to the Hib conjugate vaccine, as we published previously. (12,22) Twenty of the 79 healthy adults received both vaccines. (22) None had a history of recurrent or severe infections, acute or chronic pulmonary disease, primary or secondary immunodeficiency, autoimmune systemic disorder, or any disease or intake of drugs that might affect antibody production. They had not suffered any infection during the month preceding the vaccination. Forced spirometry, WBC count, creatinine, transaminases, and serum total Ig levels were within normal range. An arbitrary value, corresponding to the lower limit of the two-tailed 90% probability interval of post-immunization specific IgG of the healthy adults, was defined as the minimum significant increase for an adequate response. All subjects showing an increase in specific antibody titers equal to or greater than this value were considered to be responders. In the case of pneumococcal vaccine, this value was 395 arbitrary U/mL; and in the case of Hib, 2.28 [micro]g/mL, as described elsewhere. (12,22) To determine a diagnostic criterion of antibody production deficiency, we studied specific antibody response to pneumococcal and Hib conjugate vaccine in the 20 of the 79 healthy adults who received the two vaccines, and the results were compared with those obtained in 22 patients (mean age, 32 years) with humoral immunodeficiencies characterized by defective antibody formation (18 common variable immunodeficiency, 2 immunodeficiency with thymoma, and 2 X-linked agammaglobulinemia). (22) Antibody production deficiency was defined as a failure to respond to either vaccine. (22) At the beginning of the study sera from the control group and from the bronchiectasis patients were simultaneously obtained. Sera from the patients were stored in aliquots frozen at -20[degrees]C until the assay method to quantify specific antibodies was standardized, normal antibody response to both vaccines established, and antibody production deficiency defined, then they were tested. From then on, all sera obtained from patients were sent immediately for testing.

Sputum specimens for bacteria culture were obtained. Pulmonary function parameters studied were FE[V.sub.1] and FVC. Predicted values were taken from Roca et al. (26)

Statistical Analysis

Categorical variables are shown as percentages, and continuous variables as a mean and 95% confidence interval (CI). Specific antibody titers were transformed to their natural logarithms to meet the assumption of normality and expressed as the geometric mean and 95% CI. Bivariate analyses for continuous variables were made with Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. [chi square] and Fisher exact test were used for comparison of categorical variables, and Spearman test for correlations. The probability of antibody production deficiency was calculated by logistic regression, including significant clinical and Ig variables in bivariate analyses. We calculated the cutoff values (27) of preimmunization specific antibody levels that provide the maximum probability of a correct prediction of the response to a vaccine. Significance level was 5% (two-tailed). The statistical software package was used for the analysis (SPSS 10.0.6; SPSS; Chicago, IL). (28)

RESULTS

A total of 173 consecutive clinically stable adult patients with bronchiectasis of unknown etiology were assessed during the study period. Sixty-six patients were excluded (46 female and 20 male patients; age range, 15 to 82 years; mean age, 44.4 years) owing to previous pneumococcal or Hib immunization, insufficient data, or their not wishing to take part.

One hundred seven patients were finally included in the study (63 female and 44 male patients; age range, 16 to 77 years; mean age, 46.3 years). Twelve of the 107 patients (11%) failed to respond to either of the vaccines, and an antibody production deficiency was diagnosed. In addition, 15 of the patients (14%) failed to respond to the Hib conjugate vaccine only, and 20 to the pneumococcal unconjugate vaccine only (19%).

No significant differences were detected in specific antibody levels to Hib and Streptococcus pneumoniae between healthy control subjects and patients with bronchiectasis (Table 1). Nor were differences found between the two groups when patients with antibody production deficiency were excluded.

Patient characteristics according to antibody deficiency are summarized in Tables 2, 3. A significantly higher incidence of otitis media (p = 0.01), lower serum IgG2 subclass levels (p = 0.001), and lower preimmunization antibody levels to S pneumoniae and Hib (p = 0.03 and p < 0.0001, respectively) were observed in patients with antibody production deficiency. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the remaining clinical, immunologic, microbiological, and pulmonary function parameters. According to logistic regression, the probability of antibody production deficiency in patients with a history of otitis media was 20%, 26% in those with low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass serum levels, and 58% in those with both a history of otitis media and low IgG2 subclass serum levels.

Low levels of any of the IgG subclasses were observed in 46 of the patients (43%) with bronchiectasis, with the greater incidence being found in patients with antibody production deficiency (p = 0.0008), although only for Ig[G.sub.2] subclass was the difference significant (p = 0.0001) [Table 4]. Moderate correlations were observed between preimmunization and postimmunization IgG levels to S pneumoniae (r = 0.7), and also between preimmunization and postimmunization IgG to Hib (r = 0.5). Low correlations were found between baseline Ig[G.sub.2] levels and both preimmunization and postimmunization IgG to S pneumoniae (r = 0.4 and r = 0.41, respectively). A low correlation between baseline Ig[G.sub.2] levels and preimmunization IgG to Hib (r = 0.3) was observed, but none between the former and postimmunization IgG to Hib.

The optimal cutoff values of the preimmunization specific antibody levels that provide the maximum probability of a correct prediction of the response to a vaccine were 434 U/mL and 2.2 [micro]g/mL for S pneumoniae and Hib, respectively. These values were close to the 50th percentile of preimmunization specific antibody levels in healthy controls subjects for both vaccines (575 U/mL and 2.3 [micro]g/mL for S pneumoniae and Hib, respectively). The sensitivity of the preimmunization specific antibody level when the 50th percentile was chosen as a cutoff value was 84% for S pneumoniae and 80% for Hib (Fig 1, 2).

[FIGURES 1-2 OMITTED]

DISCUSSION

This study showed an antibody production deficiency with normal IgG levels in 11% of adult patients with bronchiectasis, in whom most of the known causes had been ruled out. Patients with antibody production deficiency presented a significantly higher incidence of otitis media, lower serum Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels, and lower preimmunization antibody levels to S pneumoniae and Hib.

The immune response to specific antigens should be tested to diagnose an antibody production deficiency. Identification of this underlying defect may have major implications for management, since Ig therapy might prevent progression of lung damage, as in other antibody deficiencies. (4,5) However, uniform guidelines on such a diagnosis have yet to be adequately defined. This is probably due to the paucity of studies on antibody production in the healthy adult population and lack of a uniform criterion for vaccine response. Furthermore, since a proportion of the healthy population may not respond to a vaccine, (12,22) the inability to produce a satisfactory response to immunization with a single vaccine may not suffice to diagnose humoral immunodeficiency, and the evaluation of at least two vaccines is advisable. In fact, the percentage of patients with bronchiectasis failing to respond to only one of the vaccines (19% to S pneumoniae vaccine and 14% to Hib conjugate vaccine) in the present study was similar to that observed in the healthy population (20% to S pneumoniae and 15% to Hib conjugate vaccine) (12,22); however, none of the healthy population who received the two vaccines failed to respond to both, (22) and none of the patients with primary humoral immunodeficiencies responded to either of the vaccines. (22)

Specific antibody levels in patients with bronchiectasis were investigated in two previous studies. (1,9) However, since considerable differences exist regarding criteria for study population selection, vaccination indication, response to a vaccine, and humoral immunodeficiency diagnosis, the results are difficult to compare (Table 5). In this work, as distinct from the previous studies, we assessed bronchiectasis patients in whom a comprehensive study had failed to establish a cause. The only criterion for the selection of the study population was to have bronchiectasis of unknown etiology, without establishing any other immunologic criterion that had not been previously demonstrated. The response to two vaccines (a polysaccharide and a polysaccharide conjugate vaccine) was evaluated in all the patients. The criteria of response to each vaccine were based on the results obtained in the healthy adult population; the values used as a measure of the response were not influenced by preimmunization antibody titers and may be applied in the study of response to different vaccines as well as permitting direct comparisons between different populations. (12,22) The diagnosis criterion of antibody production deficiency was based on the results obtained in both healthy control group and patients with known humoral primary immunodeficiency, (12,22) all in the same laboratory. Furthermore, this is the first study in which the clinical and immunologic characteristics of patients with antibody production deficiency and bronchiectasis have been reported, and in which the optimal cutoff values of the preimmunization specific antibody levels that provide the maximum probability of a correct prediction of the response to a vaccine were calculated. The great variability in baseline specific antibody levels and the lack of a good correlation between preimmunization and postimmunization specific antibody levels observed in our study render it difficult to establish a value below which vaccination should be indicated to complete the evaluation of antibody-mediated immunity. Although the values of the 25th percentile of the normal range used by Pasteur et al (1) may be useful, the 50th percentile could be more appropriate to avoid underdiagnosis, as shown in this study.

We found that patients with a history of otitis media were more likely to have an antibody production deficiency; since this is a common infection in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia, (2,3) but not in patients with bronchiectasis, a systemic predisposition to the infection, and not just at respiratory level, is suggested. No significant differences in the incidence of other infections also common in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia, such as sinusitis, recurrent lower respiratory tract infection, or recurrent pneumonia (2,3) were observed between patients with and without antibody production deficiency. This might be due to the fact that many patients with bronchiectasis may have a tissue predisposition of the whole respiratory tract to development of recurrent infection regardless of their etiology. (29)

Low IgG subclass levels, however, have been associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and bronchiectasis with variable prevalence depending on selection criteria of the study population, normal reference values, and measurement techniques used. (1,7-9) The subclass deficiency related to a greater susceptibility to infection is that of Ig[G.sub.2], which is often associated with an inability to produce antibodies to polysaccharide antigens. (11) In this study, 50% of patients with antibody production deficiency had low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels. However, not all patients with low Ig[G.sub.2] levels had antibody production deficiency, as had already been observed in a healthy population by Nahm et al. (10) This may be due, in part, to the fact that the IgG response to polysaccharide antigens is not limited to Ig[G.sub.2], but may also be due to Ig[G.sub.1]. (12,22,30,31) Therefore, Ig[G.sub.2] levels are probably not predictive of specific antibody levels. (32) and antibody response, (11) as shown by the scant correlation found in this study. Thus, although patients with low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass levels were more likely to have an antibody production deficiency, a study of antibody production should be made before Ig treatment can be recommended. However, the finding of low Ig[G.sub.3] levels or undetectable levels of Ig[G.sub.4] was similar in patients with or without antibody production deficiency, and its role in predisposition to infection remains unclear. (33)

Although bronchiectasis elicits a hyperimmune response in patients with normal immunologic status, with IgA, IgG, and IgG subclass serum levels often being increased, (7,8,9,34) no differences were observed in specific antibody levels to Hib and to S pneumoniae between patients with bronchiectasis without antibody deficiency and healthy adults. This may be due to the great variability in basal specific antibody levels and antibody response in both populations. Specific antibody levels, however, in the patients with antibody production deficiency were similar to those observed in patients with known humoral immunodeficiencies. (22)

Based on the results of our study, a 5 to 6% incidence of antibody production deficiency should be expected if the bronchiectasis population is considered as a whole, since in approximately 50% of patients the etiology is unknown. (1) Thus, the determination of antibody production does not appear to be warranted in the routine assessment of patients with bronchiectasis, and a guide for study indication would be appropriate. The results of this study showed that antibody production deficiency with normal IgG may be associated with bronchiectasis, making it advisable to evaluate the antibody response to both the Hib conjugate and pneumococcal unconjugate vaccines in patients with bronchiectasis in whom other known causes have been reasonably ruled out, particularly in those with a history of otitis media, low Ig[G.sub.2] subclass serum levels, and low levels of baseline specific antibodies. Future studies should be done to determine the effectiveness of Ig therapy in such patients.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT: The authors thank Edelia Catalan of the nursing staff, and Barry Kench and Christine O'Hara for help with the English translation of the article.

REFERENCES

(1) Pasteur MC, Helliwell SM, Houghton SJ, et al. An investigation into causative factors in patients with bronchiectasis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 162:1277-1284

(2) Hermaszewski RA, Webster ADB. Primary hypogammaglobulinaemia: a survey of clinical manifestations and complications. Q J Med 1993; 86:31-42

(3) Cunningham-Rundles C, Bodian C. Common variable immunodeficiency: clinical and immunological features of 248 patients. Clin Immunol 1999; 92:34-48

(4) De Gracia J, Vendrell M, Guarner L, et al. Utilizacion de gammaglobulina humana en el tratamiento de la immunodeficiencia comun variable. [The use of human gammaglobulin in the treatment of common variable immunodeficiency]. Med Clin (Barc) 1995; 104:201-206

(5) Roifman CM, Levison H, Gelfand EW. High-dose versus low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in hypogammaglobulinaemia and chronic lung disease. Lancet 1987; 1:1075-1077

(6) De Gracia J, Morell F, Bofill JM, et al. Impaired lung function in patients with IgA deficiency and low levels of Ig[G.sub.2] or Ig[G.sub.3]. N Engl J Med 1986; 314:925-926

(7) De Gracia J, Rodrigo MJ, Morell F, et al. IgG subclass deficiencies associated with bronchiectasis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1996; 153:650-655

(8) Hill SL, Mitchell JL, Burnett D, et al. IgG subclasses in the serum and sputum from patients with bronchiectasis. Thorax 1998; 53:463-468

(9) Stead A, Douglas JG, Broadfoot CJ, et al. Humoral immunity and bronchiectasis. Clin Exp Immunol 2002; 130:325-330

(10) Nahm MH, Macke K, Kwon O, et al. Immunologic and clinical status of blood donors with subnormal levels of Ig[G.sub.2]. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990; 85:769-777

(11) Primary immunodeficiency diseases: report of an IUIS Scientific Committee. Clin Exp Immunol 1999; 118(suppl 1): 1-28

(12) Rodrigo MJ, Miravitlles M, Cruz MJ, et al. Characterization of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and its subclasses (Ig[G.sub.1] and Ig[G.sub.2]) against the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in a healthy adult population: proposal for response criteria. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 1997; 4:168-172

(13) Ambrosino DM, Siber GR, Chilmonczyk BA, et al. An immunodeficiency characterized by impaired antibody responses to polysaccharides. N Engl J Med 1987; 26:790-793

(14) Sanders LAM, Rijkers GT, Kuis W, et al. Defective antipneumococcal polysaccharide antibody response in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1993; 91:110-119

(15) Miravitlles M, de Gracia J, Rodrigo MJ, et al. Specific antibody response against the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in patients with [[alpha].sub.1]-antitrypsin deficiency with and without bronchiectasis. Chest 1999; 116:946-952

(16) Schneider LC, Insel RA, Howie G, et al. Response to a Haemophilus influenzae type b diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine in children with a defect of antibody production to a Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990; 85:948-953

(17) Herrod HG, Gross S, Insel R. Selective antibody deficiency to Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide vaccination in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection. J Clin Immunol 1989; 9:429-434

(18) Zielen S, Buring I, Strand N, et al. Immunogenicity and tolerance of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in nonresponders to the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine. Infect Immun 2000; 68:1435-1440

(19) Insel RA, Anderson PW. Response to oligosaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae b in two patients with IgG2 deficiency unresponsive to capsular polysaccharide vaccine. N Engl J Med 1986; 315:499-503

(20) Musher DM, Groover JE, Watson DA, et al. IgG responses to protein-conjugated pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in persons who are genetically incapable of responding to unconjugated polysaccharides. Clin Infect Dis 1998; 27:1487-1490

(21) Sorensen RU, Leiva LE, Giangrosso PA, et al. Response to a heptavalent conjugate Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine in children with recurrent infections who are unresponsive to the polysaccharide vaccine. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1998; 17:685-691

(22) Rodrigo MJ, Vendrell M, Cruz MJ, et al. Utility of the antibody response to a conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for diagnosis of primary humoral immunodeficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 162:1462-1465

(23) Rosenstein BJ, Cutting GB, for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Panel. The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis: a consensus statement. J Pediatr 1998; 132:589-595

(24) Cohen M, Sahn SA. Bronchiectasis in systemic diseases. Chest 1999; 116:1063-1074

(25) Rodrigo MJ, Codina R, De Gracia J, et al. Valores normales de las subclases de la inmunoglobulina G en una poblacion de adultos. Su importancia en el estudio de los deficits de las mismas [Normal values of the IgG subclasses in an adult population and their importance in a study of the deficits of it] Med Clin (Barc) 1992; 98:166-170

(26) Roca J, Sanchis JA, Agusti-Vidal A, et al. Spirometric reference values from a Mediterranean population. Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir 1986; 22:217-224

(27) Robert C, Vermont J, Bosson JL. Formulas for threshold computations. Comput Biomed Res 1991; 24:514-529

(28) Armitage P, Berry G. Statistical methods in medical research. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1987

(29) Cole P. Bronchiectasis. In: Brewis RAL, Corrin B, Geddes DM, et al, eds. Respiratory medicine. London, UK: WB Saunders Company, 1995; 1286-1316

(30) Shackelford PG, Granoff DM, Nelson SJ, et al. Subclass distribution of human antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide. J Immunol 1987; 138:587-592

(31) Makela O, Mattila P, Bautonen N, et al. Isotype concentrations of human antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide (Hib) in young adults immunized with the polysaccharide as such or conjugated to a protein (Diphtheria Toxoid). J Immunol 1987; 139:1999-2004

(32) Hazlewood M, Nusrat R, Kumararatne DS, et al. The acquisition of anti-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide Haemophilus influenzae type b and tetanus toxoid antibodies, with age, in the UK. Clin Exp Immunol 1993; 93:157-164

(33) Beck CS, Heiner DC. Selective immunoglobulin G4 deficiency and recurrent infections of the respiratory tract. Am Rev Respir Dis 1981; 124:94-96

(34) Wilson CB, Jonea PW, O'Leary CJ, et al. Systemic markers of inflammation in stable bronchiectasis. Eur Respir J 1998; 12:820-824

* From the Departments of Pneumology (Dr. Vendrell) and Biostatistics (Dr. Garcia), Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona; and Departments of Pneumology (Drs de Gracia, Alvarez, and Miravitlles) and Immunology (Drs. Rodrigo and Cruz), Hospital Universitari Vail d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. Drs. Vendrell and de Gracia contributed equally to the design of the study and writing of the article.

This work was supported by a grant from the Fundacio Catalana de Pneumologia 1994, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (Exp. No. 97/0925), and Fundacion Respira 2003.

Manuscript received February 4, 2004; revision accepted June 30, 2004.

Reproduction of this article is prohibited without written permission from the American College of Chest Physicians (e-mail: permissions@chestnet.org).

Correspondence to: Montserrat Vendrell, MD, Ps Canalejas no l esc 3 3 1, Girona 17001, Spain, e-mail: mont2188@separ.es

COPYRIGHT 2005 American College of Chest Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Return to Bronchiectasis
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay