Immune responses to anaerobic gram-negative bacteria in health and disease.

In the serum of healthy and sick persons antibodies to Bacteroidaceae and Veillonella have been detected. The antibody titres to these anaerobic bacteria are commonly low, in adults, however, higher than in children. High antibody titres could be found in patients suffering from Crohn's disease and in cancer patients. Immune responses to anaerobic bacteria occur in periodontal processes, too. These antibodies belong mainly to the IgM class of immunoglobulins. On the contrary, antibodies observed in patients with sepsis belong to the IgG class.