How useful is the Chlamydia micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) test for the gynaecologist?
Three patients with a chlamydial respiratory tract infection showed significant titre rises for the three chlamydial micro-immunofluorescence tests, performed with Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. psittaci and C. trachomatis. Such cross-reactions procure an inaccurate discrimination between the various Chlamydia species which remains speculative anyhow when only a positive serological profile against one chlamydial subspecies is performed. We consider that using the serologic assay as proof for past sexually transmitted C. trachomatis infection falls outside the limits of prudent interpretation of laboratory tests.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Atrium Medisch Centrum Heerlen, The Netherlands.
J H
JH
Wagenvoort
D
D
Koumans
M
M
van de Cruijs
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010240:Parakeets; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin; D013752:Tetracycline