Subclass distribution of IgG and IgA antibody response to Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes in humans exposed to infected metal-working fluid

The subclass distribution of the IgG and IgA antibody response in serum was studied in humans exposed to aerosolized metal-working fluid containing Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes. This species was consistently found in concentrations of 10(8) bacteria per milliliter of metal-working fluid during 1 year of observation. No increased frequency of respiratory infections or discomfort was related to the exposure to the infected fluid. The antibody response to the bacterium consisted predominantly of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies. IgG2 antibodies dominated the antibody response to the lipopolysaccharide of the bacterium. IgA1 and IgA2 antibodies were also found. Smokers had significantly reduced antibody levels of all subclasses compared with nonsmokers. The antibody levels in smokers did not differ from levels of the unexposed control group. Analyses of the total serum immunoglobulin concentrations with respect to subclasses revealed that the total IgG2 levels were also significantly reduced in smokers. In nonsmokers, the age of the individuals influenced the antibody levels of the IgG1, IgG2, IgA1, and IgA2 subclasses, the levels decreasing with increasing age. For smokers, the correlation between age and antibody levels was only obvious for IgG2 antibodies. Decreased IgG2 antibody levels in the smokers were also accompanied by decreased FEV1 values (p less than 0.01). Subclass analysis of the antibody response to P. pseudoalcaligenes demonstrated that the subclass pattern for the whole bacterium differed from the pattern of the major cell wall component, the lipopolysaccharide. The significance of qualitative and quantitative differences in the subclass antibody response is discussed.