title: Evaluation of diagnostic tools for adult chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis.
abstract: Conjunctival smears and serum specimens of 150 patients with presumed chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis were evaluated over a period of 16 months and compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of fluorescent monoclonal antibody (FMAb) direct tests, IgG single antigen tests for the detection of serum antibody (IgG-IFT), and IgA and IgG immunoperoxidase tests (IgA-IPAs and IgG-IPAs) for serum antibody were compared to McCoy cell culture techniques in a nonoptimized clinical setting. Thus, FMAb sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 52%, and predictive value was 30%. IgG-IFT sensitivity was 94%, specificity was 67%, and predictive value was 37%. IgA-IPA sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 70%, and predictive value was 40%. The IgG-IPA was sensitive but nonspecific. With respect to the current epidemiologic situation in our area, FMAb and IgA-IPA in addition to McCoy cell culture techniques may represent valuable diagnostic tools for the detection of chlamydial disease.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bialasiewicz
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003235:Conjunctivitis, Inclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G