Prophylaxis and therapy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium responsible for chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients, as well as nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. An O-polysaccharide-toxin A conjugate vaccine was evaluated for prophylaxis of P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. Vaccination proved to be useful in preventing and/or delaying infection. Fully human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against P. aeruginosa O-polysaccharides were developed for the treatment of immunocompromised patients in whom active immunoprophylaxis is not applicable. Characterisation of the mAb revealed high antigen specificity and avidity, as well as excellent efficacy in relevant in vitro and in vivo systems, permitting future clinical evaluation.