Comparison of studies on Pseudomonas serology
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. | |||
| *Timing of the serological assessment by Kappler et al9 included correlation of “the antibody test results, firstly, with known microbiological data from the previous 2 years and, secondly, with microbiological results from the following 2 years”, while Tramper-Stranders10 determined antibody titres “at the end of the observation period in 2004” in the cross sectional study (A) and annually for 3 years “concomitantly when cultures were taken” in the prospective study (B). | |||
| †Defined by Kappler et al9 as ⩾7 positive of 8 cultures and by Tramper-Stranders et al10 as >50% of all cultures positive. | |||
| Authors | Kappler et al9 | Tramper-Stranders et al10 | |
| Origin | Munich, Germany | Utrecht, The Netherlands | |
| Timing | 2000–2002* | 2002–2005 | |
| Design | Prospective: sequential assessment of serology every 3 months for 2 years compared with PA cultures during 2 years | Cross sectional (A) and prospective (B) assessment of microbiology and serology with PA serology evaluated in 2004 or annually in the prospective study of children with CF | |
| No of CF patients | 183 | (A) 220 | (B) 57 |
| Age (years) | |||
| Range | 2–41 | 0.7–65 | 4–14 |
| Median | 15.7 | 11.8 | 7.9 |
| Mean | 16.7 | 14.5 | 8.1 |
| PA status | |||
| Free | 37% | 42% | 54% |
| Intermittent | 15% | 27% | 23% |
| Chronic† | 48% | 31% | 23% |
| Mucoid | 54% | ? | ? |
| Methodology | Commercially available ELISA test system (Mediagnost, Germany) measuring alkaline protease, elastase and exotoxin A titres (positive titre defined as >1:500) by Kappler et al9 whereas Tramper-Stranders et al10 used ROC determined cut off values) | ||