Antipneumolysin antibody titers in HIV-seropositive injection drug users before and after pneumococcal bacteremia

Sullivan, J. H., Mitchell, T. J. and Steinhoff, M. C. (2001) Antipneumolysin antibody titers in HIV-seropositive injection drug users before and after pneumococcal bacteremia. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 163(3), pp. 680-684. (doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.163.3.2002066)

Abstract

ower baseline antipneumolysin antibody ( α -PLY) levels have been found in populations with a higher incidence of pneumococcal infections. To determine whether predisease α -PLY titer is associated with invasive pneumococcal disease in HIV-seropositive injection drug users (IDU), we utilized a prospective cohort of IDU in Baltimore to compare α -PLY titers before bacteremia in 28 HIV- seropositive IDU cases with α -PLY titers in 56 matched (CD4 and seroconversion date) HIV-seropositive IDU control subjects and 28 matched (calendar time) HIV-seronegative IDU control subjects remaining free of pneumococcal disease. We also compared the postinfection fold-rise of α -PLY titers in cases relative to the change in α -PLY titers in control subjects during the same interval; α -PLY titers were measured using quantitative ELISA, and functional activity was assessed using antihemolysin assays. Predisease α -PLY titer did not differ between cases (66 units) and HIV-seropositive control subjects (70 units, p = 0.56) or HIV-seronegative control subjects (80 units, p = 0.10). There was a significant difference in fold-rise of α -PLY titers postdisease between cases (1.18) and HIV-seronegative control subjects (0.76), p = 0.03. Baseline α -PLY titers do not differ significantly between HIV-seropositive IDU who develop pneumococcal bacteremia from HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative IDU control subjects remaining free of severe pneumococcal disease.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mitchell, Professor Timothy
• Authors: Sullivan, J. H., Mitchell, T. J., and Steinhoff, M. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• Publisher: American Thoracic Society
• ISSN: 1073-449X
• ISSN (Online): 1535-4970