title: Tear anti-Chlamydia antibodies in males with chlamydial urethritis.
abstract: Conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis was studied in 50 males with chlamydial urethritis. Conjunctival samples from 49 patients were negative for chlamydial antigen by enzyme immunoassay. However, tear anti-Chlamydia IgA antibodies were found in high titers (> or = 400) in 20 out of the 50 patients. Secretory IgA against Chlamydia in corresponding titers was found in 8 patients. The titers differed significantly from those of the 22 negative control subjects. IgG antibodies were not detected. Tear anti-Chlamydia IgA antibodies are not diagnostic for chlamydial conjunctivitis, but occur concomitantly in patients with chlamydial urethritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Vaahtoranta-Lehtonen
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Lehtonen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Forsten
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Meurman
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Saari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology*; D014526:Urethritis / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G