[Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with asthma]. / Przewlekle zakazenie Chlamydia pneumoniae u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (especially chronic infection) in 41 asthma patients. They have been assigned to 3 groups, according to disease severity. Control group consisted of 35 age matched healthy volunteers (without cardiac and pulmonary diseases). The levels of specific IgG, IgA and IgM in patients' serum have been estimated using indirect microimmunofluorescence. According to serologic criteria, 23(56.1%) asthma patients and 4(11.4%) healthy controls have appeared to be chronically infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae (p < 0.001). Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was present in 3(7.3%) asthma patients and in 2(5.7%) healthy controls. Taking in account asthma severity, persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has occurred more frequently in patients with moderate and severe asthma than in ones with mild asthma. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was present in 9.1% and 12.5% of patients with mild and severe asthma respectively.

[Chronic Chlamydia pneumonia infection in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Przewlekla infekcja Chlamydia pneumoniae u chorych na przewlekla obturacyjna chorobe pluc.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (especially chronic infection) in COPD patients. Microimmunofluorescence method has been applied Chlamydia pneumoniae Micro-IF test (Labsystems) has been used. The levels of specific IgG, IgA and IgM have been estimated in patients' serum. According to serologic criteria, 64.1% of COPD patients and 20.5% of healthy controls appeared to be chronically infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae (p < 0.001). Taking in account COPD severity, persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been present in 68.2%, 57.1%, and 50% of patients with severe, moderate and mild COPD, respectively. Our study has revealed that chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection occurs more frequently in COPD patients than in healthy controls and in patients with severe COPD than in ones with mild and moderate disease. It is possible that persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection can initiate or amplify inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract. The results suggest a need to diagnose chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in COPD patients and, if confirmed, to take an attempt of antimicrobial therapy.

[Blood platelets as one hemostatic indicator in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Plytki krwi jako jeden z wykladników hemostazy u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

Phospholipids forming blood platelets membrane are substrates for oxidative phosphorylation in electric and chemical activation of these cells. Beneficial effect of corticosteroids on the course of asthma is connected with inhibition of phospholipase A2. This enzyme is responsible for the generation of allergic reaction membrane mediators like leukotrienes, prostaglandins and other lipoxygenase products. Three groups of asthmatic patients were observed: I group--patients with mild asthma, II group--patients with moderate asthma, III group--patients with severe, corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma. Changes of platelets membrane phospholipids structure in these groups of asthmatic patients were analyzed. There were significant differences in membrane phospholipids structure between II and III group of patients and control subjects (p < 0.01).