Detection of seroconversion and persistence of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in five different serological tests.
Microimmunofluorescence (MIF), a Chlamydia trachomatis species-specific enzyme immunoassay incorporating lipopolysaccharide-extracted Chlamydia trachomatis L2 elementary bodies, two different synthetic peptide-based species-specific tests, and a recombinant lipopolysaccharide genus-specific test were performed on multiple follow-up sera (n = 104 total) from 16 women with Chlamydia trachomatis-positive cervical swabs. These women included five with IgG seroconversions, five with Chlamydia trachomatis reinfections after initial therapy, and six with serologic follow-up of more than 6 years after antibiotic therapy. Of all the tests employed in this study, MIF IgG reverted earliest to negative titers, while MIF IgA was the least sensitive. The lipopolysaccharide-extracted elementary body enzyme immunoassay exhibited the closest correlation with the MIF test. The highest test sensitivity was observed in one of the synthetic peptide-based tests, which detected earliest seroconversions and longest IgG persistence. The other synthetic peptide-based test gave false-negative results in 2 of 16 women and did not detect seroconversion earlier than the MIF test. Seroconversion and persistence of genus-specific IgG--cross-reactivity with Chlamydia pneumoniae--against lipopolysaccharide were similar to species-specific IgG. A significant serologic response to reinfection was observed only in women with signs of pelvic inflammatory disease. Species-specific tests of high sensitivity and reproducibility are best suited for gynecological diagnostic purposes.
Clad
A
A
Frauenklinik der Universität Freiburg, Sektion Infektiologie, Germany. ACLAD@frk1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Freidank
H M
HM
Kunze
M
M
Schnoeckel
U
U
Hofmeier
S
S
Flecken
U
U
Petersen
E E
EE
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013045:Species Specificity
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010455:Peptides