Diagnosis Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection Research Articles

Trigger impact of Chlamydia trachomatis on various types of seronegative spondyloarthritis

Introduction. To date, clinical manifestations, laboratory changes and the results of instrumental examinations of the joints and spine in axial seronegative spondyloarthritis (aSpA) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis have not been fully elucidated. Purpose of the study: evaluation of clinical manifestations features, diagnosis, and evolution of seronegative spondyloarthritis associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Objectives of the study: To compare clinical manifestations, changes in laboratory parameters, results of instrumental examinations of the joints and spine in seronegative spondyloarthritis, the axial, peripheral, and mixed form. To appreciate the significance of Chlamydia trachomatis in the development of SpA by detecting the presence of DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time and by isothermal amplification of NASBA-PCR (Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification). Material and methods. During 2015-2021 were examined 138 patients with SpA hospitalized in the Republican Clinical Hospital „Timofei Moşneaga”. Chlamydia trachomatis in the form of monoinfection was detected in 87 (6.3%) patients, of which 52 (59.8%) were women and 35 (40.2%) men. Results. The results of the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in patients with arthritis: Chlamydia trachomatis infection was detected in 78 (89.7%) out of 87 patients examined by PCR, and in 9 (10.3%) cases by ELISA. The peripheral form begins mainly with inflammation of the joints of the lower extremities (81.8%), of which the knee joints are mainly involved in the pathological process (63.6%). SpA axial form associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection occurs mainly in young men (85.7%). In more than half of the patients, large joints participate in the pathological process (58.8%), especially the lower extremities. The axial variant of the SpA can begin with an injury in any part of the spine. Discussions. SpA associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection has more expressed clinical, laboratory and instrumental manifestations both in the onset and in the advanced stage of the disease.

Diagnosis of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Symptomatic Women Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Amplifying the MOMP Gene

Diagnosis of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Symptomatic Women Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Amplifying the MOMP Gene

The microbiological diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections: milestones from a centenary history

<p>August Compte, a French philosopher of science, back in the 18th Century wrote: <em>You do not know a science, if you do not know its history.</em> <br />It is ambitious to adapt this aphorism to the history of the microbiological diagnosis of <em>Chlamydia trachomatis</em> infection, but the father of positivism would probably forgive me.</p><p>[...]</p>

Screening for Chlamydia infection in a sexually transmitted infection clinic: a missed opportunity?

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) reported in Europe. We aim to evaluate the overall prevalence of CT infection and the rate of asymptomatic infection in an STI clinic over a 5-year period. We will also discuss screening strategies with reference to attendees diagnosed with an STI and their sexual partners, and attendees with a non-infectious genital dermatosis. Clinical and laboratory data for all attendees at a university hospital STI clinic over a 5-year period were reviewed. Diagnosis of CT infection was made upon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed in first-void urine. The overall prevalence of CT infection was 4.0% (53/1310); the rate of asymptomatic infection was 84.9% (45/53). The prevalence of CT infection among attendees with an STI diagnosis and their sexual partners was 5.2% (50/963), whereas that among attendees with a non-infectious genital dermatosis was 0.9% (3/347; P<0.001). Infected attendees were younger than attendees without CT infection (median age: 31years vs. 40years; P<0.001). In 39.5% (17/43) of CT-infected attendees, it was possible to notify a sexual partner; CT infection was subsequently diagnosed in 58.8% (10/17) of partners. Asymptomatic CT infection had a representative frequency, which was more pronounced among young attendees with an STI diagnosis and their sexual partners, to whom screening should be offered. Issues of age limits for screening and whether screening should be directed to males in non-STI clinic settings should be carefully assessed.

Swedish Variant ofChlamydia trachomatisin Korea

Purpose: Today, many urologists use nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) in diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Korea. A new variant of C. trachomatis with a deletion in the cryptic plasmid, which cannot be detected using commercial tests targeting the deleted DNA sequences, has been found in Sweden. Therefore, the partial deletion of cryptic plasmid DNA means that the diagnostic standards cannot detect chlamydial infection any more in cases of new mutants. The mutant type has been prevalent in Sweden, however, its incidence was not high in other countries such as France, Holland, and Denmark. In or to study the existence of this mutant C. trachomatis in Korea, we developed new primer sets for detection of this mutation. Materials and Methods: We collected the first voided urine from male urethritis patient from April 2012 to August 2013 (Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Korea). We used the 25 confirmed C. trachomatis-positive specimens by using KL1 and KL2 primers for C. trachomatis and tested the existence of mutant chlamydial infection with the newly developed primer sets. Results: We could not detect any new variant in the samples. Conclusions: Although this mutant C. trachomatis is not seen in Korea, we should watch for the occurrence of the type in the future. I would like to briefly report on implications of the surging mutant forms and how we might attain an understanding of this phenomenon.

The diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infection among students by using classical and molecular methods

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted disease. The possibility of serious complications may be prevented by early detection of the bacteria on the uterine cervix by the application of sensitive and reliable tests such as up-to-date molecular tests. The aim of the study was the comparison of sensitivity and specificity of three different methods in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The study included 69 female students referred to the gynecological outpatient unit at the Students' Polyclinic for colposcopic examination of the uterine cervix. Cervical Chlamydia trachomatis was diagnosed by using three different methods: direct immunofluorescence (DIF), nucleic acid hybridization assay (hc2), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By using DIF Chlamydia trachomatis was identified in four students (5.80%), by using hc2 also in four (5.80%), while by using PCR test in six students (8.70%). Comparative analysis of the obtained results evidenced sensitivity and specificity rates of DIF in comparison to PCR method of 46% and 95%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of DIF method in comparison to hc2 was 62% and 97%. Sensitivity and specificity of hc2 method in comparison to PCR was 76% and 100%. Contemporary molecular methods, such as PCR, are methods of choice for the identification of endocervical Chlamydia trachomatis in the population of university students without symptoms of the disease.

Patient Preference for Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy: Exploratory Findings From Three Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics

To the Editor: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection reported in the United States.1 Most recurrent CT infections in women in the first few months after treatment are due to reinfection by an untreated male partner.2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all persons with a diagnosis of CT infection be candidates for partner services. Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT), where patients are given medication to deliver to each sex partner, is an important strategy for partner services when resources are limited.3 PDPT has been shown to reduce the risk for reinfection with CT.4,5 This study aimed to describe the partner treatment preference of patients visiting urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Men and women who visited STD clinics in 3 US cities—New Orleans, LA; Jackson, MS; and St. Louis, MO—between June and September 2008 were invited to complete a short survey before being seen at the clinic. The survey was piloted at each study clinic before its implementation. The study was approved by institution review boards at each institution and the CDC and was exempt from informed consent. A total of 2887 individuals completed the survey. Over 90% of participants were blacks, 49.7% were female, and the mean age was 27.1 year (men: 28.4, women: 25.9). Participants were asked a single question about how they would like to get their partner(s) treated if they were diagnosed with CT. About half of all respondents (49.4%) preferred to send their partner to the clinic to be treated (Fig. 1). Women were significantly more likely than men to prefer treatment for their partners in the clinic (54.7% vs. 44.0%, P < 0.001). Only 20% (15.5% of males and 23.5% of females) preferred to “bring the medicine home for my partner(s) to take.” Among 407 patients who tested positive for CT, only 17.0% (n = 69) preferred PDPT.Figure 1.: Patient preference for treating partner(s) of patients with a Chlamydia infection, by sex (n = 2693) and age (n = 2677). PDPT indicates patient delivered partner therapy.Most participants in this study did not prefer PDPT. This was particularly true for younger study participants in whom the majority of CT infections is seen. A recent effectiveness study at a municipal STD clinic found that only 43% of patients accepted PDPT, in agreement with our findings, and that the risk of reinfection did not differ in patients who did and did not opt for PDPT.6 Other studies have concluded that PDPT is a successful strategy for the treatment of partners of men and women with STDs4,5,7 and the majority of patients were willing to participate in PDPT within the context of prospective studies.8,9 However, as pointed out recently by McBride et al.,10 STD clinic clients frequently are unfamiliar with the terms associated with STD treatment and may not always understand the definition of sexual partner. After addressing these issues, they found that acceptance of PDPT was high. Similarly, our results indicate that the concept of PDPT is not intuitive to STD clients. PDPT programs will not be successful in the absence of patient education concerning this approach to partner treatment and the risks of reinfection. Elizabeth J. Howard, MSPH Section of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA Fujie Xu, MD, PhD Division of STD Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, GA Stephanie N. Taylor, MD Section of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA Bradley P. Stoner, MD, PhD Departments of Anthropology and Internal Medicine Washington University St. Louis, MO Leandro Mena, MD, MPH University of Mississippi Medical Center, Crossroads Clinics Mississippi State Department of Health Jackson, MS M. Jacques Nsuami, MD, MPH Section of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA Suzanne Powell, MPH Division of STD Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, GA Rebecca Lillis, MD David H. Martin, MD Section of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA

Classical and molecular methods for diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases in industrial countries, particularly among young people. The consequences of chlamydial infections may involve pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. Available tests for detection of chlamydia in men and women include culture in tissue culture cells, direct immunofluorescence test, enzyme immune assay, nucelic acid probe hibridization and polymerase chain reaction. Nucleic acid amplification tests use different ribonucleic and deoxyribonucleic acid regions as target molecules for amplifying Chlamydia trachomatis ribonucleic/deoxyribonucleic acid in clinical samples. Nucleic acid amplification tests are more sensitive than non-nucleic acid amplification tests. Although screening programmes exist in a number of countries, the continuously increasing prevalence of chlamydial infections demonstrates the necessity for defining the best method for the diagnosis and the population for screening.

Epidemiology of Chlamydophila caviae-like Chlamydia isolated from urethra and uterine cervix.

In 2000, chlamydial strains OK133 and OK135 were isolated from 2 female patients with cervicitis. These strains were unresponsive to commercially available PCR and LCR test kits for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and their phenotypic characteristics were very similar. The OK135 nucleotide sequence in MOMP-VD2 gene closely resembled that of Chlamydophila caviae GPIC. A similar strain was isolated in 2003 from a male patient OKM2 with urethritis, from which the strain SC10-6 was cloned by the plaque purification method. The nucleotide sequence of the entire MOMP gene of SC10-6 was exactly the same as that of OK135. Thus, the strains OK135 and SC10-6, together with OK133, have been called C. caviae-like Chlamydia. We designed primers for nested PCR assay, the product of which showed a single-band 311-bp fragment, to detect C. caviae-like Chlamydia. Of swab specimens obtained from 202 patients from 2003 to 2006 (119 male and 83 female patients), 18 specimens (8.9%) from 14 male and 4 female patients were positive, suggesting that C. caviae-like Chlamydia infection is rather common. Thus far, it has not been determined whether C. caviae-like Chlamydia is pathogenic for humans.

New variant chlamydia: Limitations of diagnostic tests and importance of epidemiologic surveillance

Introduction: The introduction of nucleic acid amplifi cation tests for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in the 1990s represented the fi rst wholesale, practical substitution of traditional diagnostic methods in microbiology with this new technology. Prior to this, Chlamydia identifi cation in clinical specimens was often not routinely available or, if available, was dependent on tests with poor sensitivity. In addition, nucleic acid amplifi cation tests provide effi ciency of scale through batch testing, and they have proven to be nearly as reliable on urine specimens and self-collected vaginal specimens as they are on cervical and urethral specimens. Not surprisingly, with the introduction of reliable nucleic acid amplifi cation tests and expansion of Chlamydia testing services, the numbers of cases of genital C. trachomatis infections in the United States began to soar. Between 1990 and 2005, overall rates of Chlamydia infection in the United States went from ~ 150/100,000 population to ~ 340/100,000 population [1]. Several types of nucleic acid amplifi cation tests have been commercially introduced to detect Chlamydia. These include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), and transcription-mediated amplifi cation (TMA). By their nature, the reliability of these tests depends on the selection of the appropriate target gene sequence and the conservation of that sequence over time. Some testing systems, including the Abbott m2000 (Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL, USA) and the Cobas Amplicor/TaqMan48 (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland), use the chlamydial cryptic plasmid as their target for amplifi cation. As the name implies, the actual function of this plasmid is unclear, but it provides several copies per cell and therefore results in increased sensitivity when compared with those tests that target chromosomal DNA [2]. However, what happens if and when, through random mutation, variant organisms appear that are lacking the sequence in question? It has long been recognized that plasmid-free strains of C. trachomatis exist in nature [3]. This did not seem to have any impact at the time on test system design. Apparently, however, now the clinical “chicken has come home to roost.” In Sweden, after a decade of rising C. trachomatis rates, it was observed that at least in one southern county in 2005 the rates declined by 25%. Rather than accept this as evidence of successful surveillance and disease management, investigators assumed there was a good chance that the diagnostic tests they were using were either faulty or that a change had occurred in the target for amplifi cation. After some study, a 377-bp deletion was found in the cryptic plasmid target region of a strain that initially had not been detected by routine testing. Had this occurred in the setting of anything less than effective surveillance, and the noted observation of an unexpected decline in prevalence after years of rising rates, it may not have come to light. Several studies and reports recently have highlighted this microbiologic phenomenon.

First evaluation of six nucleic acid amplification tests widely used in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis in Russia

In Russia, nationally developed nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), which have never been validated to international commercially available NAATs, are mainly used in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. To evaluate the performance characteristics of six NAATs widely used to diagnose C. trachomatis infection in Russia. In total, 446 consecutive symptomatic patients (319 females and 127 males) were included. Five polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and one real-time nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) assay were evaluated on cervical and vaginal samples from females and on urethral and first voided urine samples from males. As reference methods, the Cobas Amplicor PCR, as the main 'gold standard' method, and LightMix 480HT PCR were used. The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 12.6%. The Russian NAATs and the reference methods displayed a high level of concordance (97.9% to 99.2%). In comparison with the reference methods, the sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of the Russian tests in different specimens ranged from 86.1% to 100%, 99.1% to 100%, 92.3% to 100% and 98.2% to 100%, respectively. According to the reference methods, C. trachomatis NAATs developed and used in Russia have relatively good performance characteristics for both invasive and non-invasive samples. However, larger studies that include symptomatic and asymptomatic patients as well as genital and extra-genital samples, and in comparison with other internationally well-recognized, validated, and ideally Food and Drug Administration-approved C. trachomatis NAATs performed strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions, need to be conducted.

Comparative performance of the Roche COBAS Amplicor assay and an in-house real-time PCR assay for diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection

This study investigated the comparative performance of the Amplicor assay and an in-house semi-automated, multiplex real-time PCR for the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection. Four different assays, the COBAS Amplicor CT test (Amplicor PCR), in-house real-time PCR (IHRT-PCR), in-house nested cryptic plasmid PCR and in-house nested major outer membrane protein PCR, were performed on genital swabs from 1000 consecutive patients attending a genitourinary medicine clinic. The samples were designated true positive if Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was detected by at least two of the four above-mentioned assays while a sample was defined as true negative if C. trachomatis DNA was detected in only one or none of the assays. By this criterion, there were 129 true positive and 871 true negative samples for C. trachomatis DNA in this cohort. Amplicor PCR designated 144 samples positive: 128 (89%) of 144 samples were true positive and 16 (11%) were false positive. IHRT-PCR detected 126 of 129 true positive samples and did not generate any false positive results. The sensitivity of IHRT-PCR was comparable with, and specificity was higher than, Amplicor PCR for the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection.

Comparison of strand displacement and ligase chain amplification for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in urogenital specimens

Two amplification tests for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, namely the ligase chain reaction (LCx) and the strand displacement assay (ProbeTec), were compared using samples from 1183 patients at sexually transmitted disease clinics. The overall prevalence of positive results was 8.0%, with agreement between the two assays of 98.8%. For endocervical, urethral and male urine samples, agreement was 99.3%, 99.4% and 97.7%, respectively. For ten discrepant samples, alternative amplification assays suggested that the LCx and ProbeTec assays gave erroneous results in six and four cases, respectively. Inhibition of amplification was observed with three (0.25%) urine specimens.

Molecular diagnostic techniques.

Molecular diagnostic techniques will continue to transform clinical microbiology. They provide more rapid and sensitive testing that impacts directly on clinical management of infected patients. Molecular diagnostic tests arose from the need to detect micro-organisms that are slow or difficult to grow, or that are present in only small numbers. Nucleic acid amplification techniques (e.g. polymerase chain reaction, PCR) can detect DNA or RNA specific to certain micro-organisms and do not rely on either the recovery of the pathogen or an immune response in the infected patient. Alternative nucleic acid amplification methods have emerged recently because of increasing commercial interest in infectious disease diagnostics and the comprehensive patient protection of PCR technology. Such techniques are gaining widespread acceptance, and have displaced more conventional gold-standard testing in some areas of infectious disease (e.g. viral load testing in HIV-1 infected patients, diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection). Genetic characterization techniques are increasingly used to determine the relatedness of micro-organisms in the clinical setting. These methods are useful in establishing routes or sources of infection in outbreaks of disease, and are powerful epidemiological tools in large-scale clinical investigations. Recently, there has been a move towards pathogen characterization techniques based on direct nucleotide sequencing (e.g. single nucleotide polymorphism analysis, multi-locus sequence typing). These techniques offer unambiguous, portable data that can be exchanged via the Internet, strengthening collaborative efforts in the field of infectious disease research.

Changes in testing methods for genital Chlamydia trachomatis in New South Wales, Australia, 1999 to 2002

Over the last decade, significant advances have occurred in the area of chlamydia diagnostics. The relative frequency of different testing methods employed in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in New South Wales has not been previously reported. Testing methods--both laboratory method and specimen type--employed in the diagnosis of chlamydia cases notified in New South Wales between 1999 and 2002 were collated from Health Department records. During a period of increasing notifications, the proportion of men diagnosed with C. trachomatis using nucleic acid tests (NATs) increased from 36% in 1999 to 90% in 2002. Among women, the proportion diagnosed using NATs increased from 42% in 1999 to 92% in 2002. Urine samples were consistently used in the diagnosis of two-thirds of the men, and one-third of the women. Between 1999 and 2002, a rapid shift towards NATs for genital C. trachomatis took place in New South Wales.

The laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections.

Lower genital tract infections with Chlamydia trachomatis are predominantly asymptomatic in men and women. Diagnostic technology has provided several approaches to the diagnosis of C trachomatis. Outside of cells, Chlamydia can die or degrade without optimal storage and transportation. Because some of the other assays perform better on certain specimen types, it is important for laboratories to recognize these differences and provide advice to physicians and nurses collecting patient specimens, with the objective of diagnosing lower genital tract infections to prevent transmission and upper tract damage. Most invasive specimens, such as cervical or urethral swabs, may be collected for culture, antigen or nucleic acid detection. Noninvasive samples such as first-void urine and vaginal swabs can be easily collected by the patient; these samples must be tested by more sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests. These newer investigative strategies should enable implementation of screening programs to identify and treat partners. Serology has not been particularly useful for the diagnosis of acute C trachomatis infections in adults. Presently, it appears that antibiotic-resistant C trachomatis is not a clinical problem. Laboratories providing C trachomatis diagnosis require participation in continuous quality improvement programs.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in subfertile couples

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in subfertile couples

The Impact of Switching to Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in Women

We noted a marked increase in Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections in the Capital Health Region of NS coincident with substitution of a PCR for an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). We reviewed our experience to determine the cost of switching and the impact on the number of new infections diagnosed.Information on the number of EIA and PCR tests performed on women was retrieved from an abstracted laboratory information database. We examined records of testing performed between April 1998 and December 2001. Prior to June 2001, all genital swabs were tested using the MicroTrak, II Chlamydia EIA and confirmed by direct fluorescence examination. After July 2001, genital swabs were tested using the COBAS AMPLICOR C. trachomatis test.During the study period, 62,288 EIA tests were performed on specimens submitted; 2,061 (3.33%) were positive. In the six months when testing was performed by the PCR method, 9,559 PCR tests were performed, 463 (4.84%) were positive; 46% increase. In the three years before PCR testing was implemented, an average of 1,626 specimens were submitted monthly. An average of 54 tests were positive (3.3%). The cost for each positive detected by PCR was 208 dollars Cdn and 226 dollars by EIA.The switch to PCR for the diagnosis of CT produced a marked increase in the number of chlamydia infections diagnosed. The recent increase in the number of reported CT cases in Canada may be due in large part to more sensitive tests. Surprisingly, the cost of each positive test by PCR was 18 dollars Cdn less than that of the EIA.

Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a sexually transmitted disease clinic: evaluation of a urine sample tested by enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction in comparison with a cervical and/or a urethral swab tested by culture and polymerase chain reaction

Objective To evaluate the value of a urine sample for diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis infection in an STD clinic in a prospective study of samples collected from 410 consecutive STD patients (167 female and 243 male).Methods Urine samples were tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in comparison with cervical and/or urethral swabs tested by PCR and cell culture. A questionnaire was completed for a total of 320 patients concerning symptoms, and determining whether they were controls, contacts or were being tested subsequent to legal abortion.Results The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 11.5%. At least 40% of patients were asymptomatic. Of the C. trachomatis-positive patients, 85% were diagnosed by testing urine, compared to 91% by testing swabs. For urine tests, the sensitivities of PCR were 66.7% and 71.9% for female and male patients, respectively, and the sensitivities of EIA were 40.0% and 62.5%, or 46.7% and 71.9%, for female and male patients, respectively, by including a 30% gray zone below the cut-off value. For swabs, the sensitivities of PCR were 93.3% and 87.5% for female and male patients, respectively, and equal to the sensitivities of culture. In total, 3.3% of controls and 35% of contacts were found to be C. trachomatis positive.Conclusion The use of urine samples for the diagnosis of C. trachomatis infections was effective, but urine samples should be additional to conventional swab(s) instead of replacing. Partner notification and a confirmation of cure is recommended.

Prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis Pooled Serotypes BDE and FGK in Children with Chronic Follicular Conjunctivitis

Purpose: To evaluate type-specific antichlamydial antibody IgG in children with chronic follicular conjunctivitis. Methods: A total of 90 serum samples from juvenile patients with chronic follicular conjunctivitis were collected in the Southeastern Anatolian region of Turkey where trachoma is still endemic. These samples were investigated regarding Chlamydia trachomatis pooled serotype-specific IgG by using the micro-immunofluorescence test. A titer of 1/32 or higher was considered positive. Results: Specific IgG seropositivity to Chlamydia trachomatis titer was found in 33 (36.1%) of the 90 subjects. A higher titer was observed frequently in the serotypes pooled in BDE (21 subjects), CHIJ (10 subjects), and FGK (2 subjects), respectively. Conclusions: The presence of antichlamydial antibodies in blood should always be interpreted in accordance with the history of the patient, the clinical picture, and the course of the disease. In the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a patient with chronic follicular conjunctivitis, not only genus-specific antibodies but also the presence of the subspeciespecific antibodies should be investigated.