Detection of Chlamydia (Bedsonia) in certain infections of man. I. Laboratory procedures: comparison of yolk sac and cell culture for detection and isolation.

Abstract

The microscopic examination of stained smears, as a laboratory procedure for detecting the agents of trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis in conjunctival and other specimens, has been supplemented in recent years by cultivation in the yolk sac of the chick embryo. The latter method is not entirely satisfactory, as several blind passages are often necessary and weeks may be required before final interpretation can be made. The percentage of inclusion-positive (direct smear) cases yielding isolates by yolk sac culture has been as high as lOO^c in some studies [1], but in many others it has been between 5096 and 75 Vo [2]. Isolation in the yolk sac has thus not always proved to be as sensitive a method of detection as methods depending on the direct demonstration of the agent in conjunctival scrapings. An improved method of detection and isolation would be of considerable value. Such a method should be applicable not only to specimens from the eye, but to those from genital tract, joints, and other areas from which microorganisms of this genus are now being isolated [3, 4].