Opsonophagocytic Killing Antibody toPseudomonas aeruginosaMucoid Exopolysaccharide in Older Noncolonized Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

The principal cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis is persistent respiratory colonization with mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To investigate possible mechanisms of resistance to this organism, we studied serum from 16 older (≥12 years) patients not colonized with mucoid P. aeruginosa, 11 older (≥14 years) colonized patients, 10 younger (≤11 years) noncolonized patients, and 20 healthy adults.