THE HOST INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE PRIOR TO DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS AND CHRONIC PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA INFECTION

The intensity of the host inflammatory response to puomonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa immediately prior to death was determined in six patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Plasma concentrations of neutrophil elastase a1-antiproteinase, tumour necrosis factor-a(TNFa) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were increased in the 7 days prior to death (P<0·05) when compared with a period of clinical stability during the preceding 6 months. An increased inflammatory response was sustained for many weeks prior to death and was associated with poor symptom and lung function responses to apparently appropriate antibiotic treatment. © 1993, Baillière Tindall. All rights reserved.