Immunological and bacteriological studies in patients with bronchiectasis

ABSTRACT

30 patients with bronchiectasis, were included in this work to study serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM and complement C3 concentration levels, and other immunological markers [C-reactive protein, rheumatoid and antinuclear factors] and also to look for the associated bacterial pathogen. 30 normal individuals were selected as a control group. It was found that 80% of patients had a significant elevation in at least one of immunoglobulin level which was related mainly to the degree of severity of the disease. On the other h and, a nonsignificant change in complement C3 was observed. 60% of the cases were seropositive for C-reactive protein, 33.3% showed positive rheumatoid factor, while 6.6% were seropositive for antinuclear factors. Gram-negative organisms were found in the sputum of 70% of patients. These immunological changes are supposed to be due to persistent antigenic stimulation and hyperimmune responses or the endotoxin of Gram-negative organisms isolated may be of aetiological significance in the development of autoantibodies and elevation of immunoglobulin levels