Proteomic Identification of OprL as a Seromarker for Initial Diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Identification of new immunogenic antigens that diagnose initialPseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) alone or as an adjunct to microbiology is needed. In the present study, a proteomic analysis was performed to obtain a global assessment of the host immune response during the initialP. aeruginosa infection of patients with CF. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry was used to identify outer membrane protein L (OprL), a non-type III secretion system (TTSS) protein, as an early immunogenic protein during the initialP. aeruginosa infection of patients with CF. Longitudinal Western blot analysis of sera from 12 of 14 patients with CF detected antibodies to OprL during the initialP. aeruginosa infection. In addition, also detected were antibodies to ExoS, ExoU, or ExoS and ExoU, the latter indicating sequentialP. aeruginosa infections during initial infections. Detection of serum reactivity to OprL, along with proteins of the TTSS, and in conjunction with microbiology may diagnose initialP. aeruginosa infections in patients with CF.