Association of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis heat-shock protein 60 kD with chronic nongonococcal urethritis.
Ninety male patients with acute nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) who presented for follow-up 10-92 days after initiation of treatment were evaluated. A polymerase chain reaction assay and direct fluorescence antibody test were used to detect Chlamydia trachomatis at presentation and during follow-up. Chlamydial heat-shock protein 60 kD (hsp60) serology with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and C. trachomatis serology with a microimmunofluoresence test were undertaken. In 62 (69%) of the men, evidence of chronic urethritis was noted during follow-up. C. trachomatis was detected in only two patients during follow-up. Chlamydial hsp60 antibody was associated with the development of chronic urethritis between 10 and 92 days after treatment began (P < .04), that is, at 10-29 days (P < .02) and at 30-92 days (P < .008). These results are consistent with the theory that immune response to hsp60 is important in the development of this chronic disease. The results also suggest that chronic NGU is not a consequence of continued production of hsp60 by C. trachomatis.
Horner
P J
PJ
Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Communicable Diseases, Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's, London, United Kingdom.
Cain
D
D
McClure
M
M
Thomas
B J
BJ
Gilroy
C
C
Ali
M
M
Weber
J N
JN
Taylor-Robinson
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003075:Coitus; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014526:Urethritis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D018834:Chaperonin 60