Aspergillus antibody in patients with cystic fibrosis
E. J. Bardana Jr, K. L. Sobti, F. D. Cianciulli and M. J. Noonan
The respiratory flora of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) frequently
includes Aspergillus, and 30% of their serum samples have been observed to
contain precipitating antibody to this fungus. Serum from 61 CF patients,
60 healthy persons, and three patients with CF and allergic
bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was studied, using a quantitative assay for
antibody to A fumigatus. Although CF patients had significantly higher
levels of Aspergillus antibody, some antibody was found in all serum
samples from normal individuals. Binding was immunologically specific for A
fumigatus. Serum IgE levels and dermal reactivity to Aspergillus were
similar in both CF and normal subjects. Increased levels of Aspergillus
antibody in CF patients probably reflect pulmonary colonization, which only
rarely causes infection or sensitization.
