[Value of Western blotting in serodiagnosis of chlamydial infections].
The Western blot (WB) method was verified for serological diagnosis of chlamydial infections.


METHODS
For testing, sera previously examined by the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test with either ambiguous results or those suggesting persistent infection were used.


RESULTS
Whereas the investigation confirmed adequate sensitivity and specificity of the MIF test for diagnosing Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection, it was less sensitive in case of Chlamydia trachomatis. Long-term persistence of IgA antibodies, detected by the MIF test, was often not confirmed by WB.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the view that detecting antibodies alone, without appropriate clinical symptoms, is not sufficient for antibiotic treatment of any infection.
Teislerová
Dana
D
Laboratory of Virology, Hospital Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic. teislerova@nemcb.cz
Zampachová
Eva
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology; D002694:Chlamydiaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial