[Chlamydiae infections: diagnostic procedures].
The objective of this review is to critically describe the diagnostic procedures for Chlamydiae infections. Direct identification in culture remains fastidious and lacks sensitivity. Antigen detection techniques include direct immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies and immunohistochemistry. Until recently, serologic testing was commonly used for the diagnosis, but sensitivity was low for acute infections. The situation has been greatly improved by the advent of molecular techniques allowing direct identification of chlamydial DNA. The polymerase chain reaction has high specificity and sensitivity. Several commercially available tests can be used for C. trachomatis. For C. pneumoniae, routine tests for gene amplification are still lacking. The diagnosis is based on the combination of direct identification and search for a rise in antibody titer by serologic testing.
Raymond
J
J
Service de microbiologie, hôpital Cochin-Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, 82, avenue Denfert-Rochereau, 75014 Paris, France. j.raymond@svp.ap-hop-paris.fr
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial