Precipitating antibodies against pseudomonas aeruginosa in serum from dialysis patients

Hemodialysate in our facility was found contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By means of crossed immunoelectrophoresis, series of serum samples from 20 patients in regular dialysis treatment have been investigated for development of precipitating antibodies against P. aeruginosa during dialysis treatment. In 6 patients antibacterial antibodies occurred during the observation period but were, in all 6 occasions, in close relation to acute intercurrent bacterial infections and not related to the dialysis treatment. It is therefore concluded that P. aeruginosa antigens from the dialysate do not pass the dialysis membranes in quantities sufficient to evoke a humoral immune response.