Serology of Chlamydia trachomatis in infants.

Abstract

Sera from 502 infants with pneumonia were tested for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis by the microimmunofluorescence test; 175 (34.9%) were positive for IgM antibodies (titer, greater than or equal to 1:32). Chlamydiae were recovered from 42 (46.2%) of 91 IgM antibody-positive infants as compared with six (3.3%) of 181 IgM antibody-negative infants (P less than 0.0001). Two (4%) of 46 of the infants with inclusion conjunctivitis, but not pneumonia, had titers of IgM antibody of greater than or equal to 1:32; both shed the organism from the rectum. IgM antibody to C. trachomatis is not maternally transmitted to infants and was detected at a low rate (1.1%) in infants with nonpneumonic conditions. Diagnosis of pneumonia due to Chlamydia in infants by isolation of the agent is slow and unreliable. High levels of IgM antibody (greater than 1:32) appear to reflect a systemic chlamydial infection and offer the possibility of a same-day diagnosis. Thus, the detection of specific IgM antibodies to C. trachomatis may be the method of choice in diagnosing chlamydial pneumonia in infants.

• Authors: J Schachter, M Grossman, P H Azimi
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 146 Issue 4 Pg. 530-5 (Oct 1982) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6750008 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (analysis)
• Chlamydia Infections (diagnosis, immunology)
• Chlamydia trachomatis (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Conjunctivitis, Inclusion (immunology)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Pneumonia (etiology, immunology)
• Prospective Studies