Antibody responses in patients with invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections.

• Correlation between antibody response and clinical outcome in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia has yielded conflicting results. Immunization schedules have failed in clinical trials. Is the humoral response toward S. aureus of protective nature? A prospective study was performed in patients with invasive S. aureus (ISA) infections during the period 2003-2005. The antibody levels were determined at the beginning and at the end of treatment and one month later (n = 96, n = 71, and n = 51, respectively). As controls, 115 healthy individuals were used. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against eight purified antigens was performed. Bacterial isolates were grouped as to the production of alpha-toxin, agr type, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) type. Large variations were seen in the antibody levels. The levels in the second sample were the highest. A correlation between agr group, PFGE group, alpha-toxin production, and initial antibody levels was observed. Patients with fatal outcome displayed lower initial antibody levels to all antigens and significantly so in regard to teichoic acid, lipase, enterotoxin A, and scalded skin syndrome toxin. In episodes with complicated bacteremia, initial significantly low levels to teichoic acid and lipase were registered. Low initial antibody levels against several antigens were associated with increased mortality and complicated bacteremia in invasive S. aureus infections. Bacterial properties, strain, and toxin production affected the antibody response.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Microbiology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Aged

Antibodies

Bacterial

blood

Antibody Formation

Antigens

Bacterial

diagnostic use

Bacterial Proteins

biosynthesis

immunology

Bacterial Toxins

biosynthesis

immunology

Bacterial Typing Techniques

DNA Fingerprinting

Electrophoresis

Gel

Pulsed-Field

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

methods

Hemolysin Proteins

biosynthesis

immunology

Humans

Middle Aged

Prospective Studies

Staphylococcal Infections

immunology

mortality

pathology

Staphylococcus aureus

classification

immunology

isolation & purification

pathogenicity

Trans-Activators

biosynthesis

immunology

Virulence Factors

biosynthesis

immunology

Naturvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)