Infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en pacientes de una institución de salud de Bogotá y Medellín, 2012-2015 / Chlamydia trachomatis infection in patients of a health institution of Bogota and Medellin, 2012-2015

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis presents clinical consequences and it is barely studied in Colombia. Objective: To compare the C. trachomatis infection in Bogotá and Medellín with specific frequencies by gender and age group, between 2012-2015. Methods: Descriptive study of multiple groups, with 1,660 people in Bogotá and 1,087 in Medellin. Anti-Chlamydia trachomatis test with recombinant antigens MOMP, TARP and CPAF was applied; 100% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity. It was estimated and compared the frequency of infection by gender and age group, by hypothesis testing, confidence intervals and prevalence ratios. Results: The largest proportion were women and people between 30-39 years. The frequency of positive IgG in Bogotá was 15.6% (95% CI = 13.4 to 17.8) in Medellin 16.9% (95% CI = 13.4 to 20.4), while the frequency of positive IgM was 0% in Medellin and 0.2% (95% CI = 0.01-1.0) in Bogotá; it was higher in women. In Bogotá, the frequency was higher in younger than 30 years and lower in older than 50. Discussion: The high frequency of infection, its greater occurrence in women, the differences found in the age groups, the low number of investigations in Colombia and clinical risks associated with C. trachomatis, show the need to improve surveillance, screening and research in this infection.

Introducción: Chlamydia trachomatis presenta graves consecuencias clínicas y es poco estudiada en Colombia. Objetivo: Comparar la infección por C. trachomatis en Bogotá y Medellín, y sus frecuencias específicas según sexo y grupo etario, 2012-2015. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de grupos múltiples, con 1.660 personas de Bogotá y 1.087 de Medellín. Se aplicó serología anti-Chalmydia trachomatis con antígenos recombinantes MOMP, TARP y CPAF; sensibilidad 100% y especificidad 99,6%. Se estimó y comparó la infección según sexo y grupo etario, mediante pruebas de hipótesis, intervalos de confianza y razones de prevalencia. Resultados: La mayor proporción correspondió a mujeres y personas entre 30-39 años. La frecuencia de historia de infección, según IgG, en Bogotá fue 15,6% (IC 95% = 13,4-17,8), en Medellín 16,9% (IC 95% = 13,4-20,4), mientras que con IgM fue 0% en Medellín y 0,2% (IC 95% = 0,01-1,0) en Bogotá; siendo mayor en las mujeres. En Bogotá, la frecuencia de infección fue más elevada bajo 30 años de edad y más baja sobre 50. Discusión: La elevada frecuencia de infección, la mayor ocurrencia en las mujeres, las diferencias halladas en los grupos etarios, el bajo número de investigaciones en Colombia y los riesgos clínicos asociados con C. trachomatis, evidencian la necesidad de mejorar la vigilancia, tamización e investigación en esta infección.

Infecção por Chlamydia trachomatis e anticorpos contra proteína de choque térmico 60 (HPS60) associados a fator de infertilidade tubária / Chlamydia trachomatis and antibodies against heat shock protein 60 (HPS60) associated with tubal factor infertility

Chlamydia trachomatis é uma bactéria transmitida sexualmente e uma frequente causa de doença inflamatória pélvica (DIP) que, com sua evolução, pode levar à gravidez ectópica ou a fator de infertilidade túbaria (TFI). Hipóteses sugerem que reações imunes à proteína de choque térmico 60 (HPS60) de Chlamydia trachomatis induz à DIP e à consequente infertilidade. A revisão sistemática foi conduzida utilizando artigos científicos das bases de dados MEDLINE, PubMed e Scopus, com estudos que associavam o aumento do TFI à presença de anticorpos contra HPS60 em mulheres portadoras da bactéria. Foram incluídos 12 estudos. As evidências de 11 estudos caso-controle sugerem a confirmação da associação do TFI com maior produção de anticorpos contra HPS60 de Chlamydia trachomatis. Inversamente ao resultado, foi encontrado um estudo do tipo ensaio clínico controlado randomizado em que os anticorpos contra HPS60 da Chlamydia não foram significamente associados a sequelas por doença inflamatória pélvica. Nossos achados confirmam uma associação entre TFI e anticorpos para HSP60 da Chlamydia trachomatis, mas enfatizamos a necessidade de mais estudos com ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted bacteria and a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID); its evolution can lead to ectopic pregnancy or tubal infertility factor (TFI). Hypotheses suggest that immune reactions to heat shock protein 60 (HPS60) of Chlamydia trachomatis induces DIP and, thus, infertility. A systematic review was conducted of scientific articles using MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus, with studies that linked the increase in the TFI HPS60 presence of antibodies in women with the bacterium. We included 12 studies. Evidence from 11 case-control studies suggest confirmation of the TFI association with increased production of antibodies against HPS60 Chlamydia trachomatis. In contrast to the result, we found a type study randomized controlled trial in which the antibodies of Chlamydia HPS60 were not significantly associated with sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease. Our findings confirm an association between TFI and antibodies to HSP60 of Chlamydia trachomatis, but emphasize the need for more studies with randomized controlled trial.

The role of a commercial enzyme immuno assay antigen detection system for diagnosis of C. trachomatis in genital swab samples.

In the present pilot study, endocervical and urethral swabs collected from 100 patients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and regional centre for STD in two referral hospitals in New Delhi were analyzed by enzyme immune assay (EIA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) for detection of C. trachomatis. It was found that EIA could detect a very low number of cases (3/100) as against DFA (11/100) and PCR (9/100). Thus, in spite of the widespread availability, lower cost and ease of performance of the enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay, the present study highlights the need to employ sophisticated diagnostic tools like DFA and PCR for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in STD patients.

Direct fluorescent antibody assay and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis

OBJECTIVES: To identify Chlamydia trachomatis via polymerase chain reaction and a direct fluorescent antibodyassay in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis while comparing the efficacies of both tests for detectingChlamydia trachomatis in these conditions. METHODS: Conjunctival scraping samples were obtained from 177 patients who were divided into two groups: avernal keratoconjunctivitis group (group A) and a control group (group B). The polymerase chain reaction and adirect fluorescent antibody assay were performed. Sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic curves,and areas under the curve were calculated for both tests in groups A and B. Receiver operating characteristic curveswere plotted using a categorical variable with only two possible outcomes (positive and negative). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection detected by a direct fluorescent antibody assay with high sensitivity and specificity. Allpatients in group A with positive polymerase chain reactions also presented with positive direct fluorescentantibody assays. CONCLUSION: The association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection wasconfirmed by positive direct fluorescent antibody assays in 49.4 percent of vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients and bypositive polymerase chain reactions in 20 percent of these patients. The direct fluorescent antibody assay detectedChlamydia trachomatis in a higher number of patients than did the polymerase chain reaction. Although thediagnosis of trachoma is essentially clinical, the disease may not be detected in vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients.Due to the high frequency of chlamydial infection detected in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, we suggestconsidering routine laboratory tests to detect Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with severe and refractory allergicdisease.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Cytomegalo virus, rubella virus and chlamydia trachomatis among infertile women attending in vitro fertilization center, Gaza strip, Patestine

In the present study, the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus [CMV] and Chiamydia trachomatis in Palestinian women was determined through antenatal screening. The study included 1954 Palestinian women records which were reviewed and analyzed statistically from 2000-2005. Those women attended In vitro fertilization center in Gaza complaining from infertility and abortion. Anti-Toxoplasma, anti-rubella, anti-CMV and anti-Chiamydia IgM antibodies were assayed using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Positive results were found in 7.9%, 6%, 7% and 12.8% for T. gondii, CMV, Rubella and C. trachomatis antibodies. A high significant infection rate was observed in year 2003 [P = 0.001] for T. gondii. A clear variation with statistical significance was observed in the seroprevalence for all the studied pathogens regarding year of collection and age of women. The study indicated that T. gondii, rubella, CMV and C. trachomatis are still constitute a public health problem among pregnant women and considered one of the abortion factors

Chlamydia trachomatis Antibody in Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis (FHC) syndrome is inflammation of the liver capsule associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. We measured Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in 30 female patients with acute abdominal pain for diagnosis of FHC-syndrome, and the results were compared with other tests. METHODS: A dual-polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of C. trachomatis in the cervix, and a micro-immunofluorescence test was performed to measure the antibody to C. trachomatis in serum. Cervical specimens were stained with Gram stain and cultured on chocolate agar for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) and pelvic examinations were performed. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients examined, 19 were diagnosed as having FHC-syndromes and 11 abdominal pains without FHC-syndrome. C. trachomatis was detected from one of the five patients studied, and no N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from the patients with FHC-syndrome. High titers of IgG antibody (1:512-1:1,024) to C. trachomatis were demonstrated in all patients with FHC-syndrome. The CT scan revealed perihepatitis in 14 patients with FHC-syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with FHC-syndrome are associated with C. trachomatis infections, and a high titer of C. trachomatis antibody (IgG) is a very useful marker for FHC-syndrome.

Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detection in pregnancy and its verification by antibody blocking assay.

PURPOSE: To detect the prevalence of genital infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women and also to confirm the positive results using blocking antibody assay. METHODS: Endocervical specimens were collected from 200 symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women attending the ANC OPD at M P Shah Medical College, Jamnagar. The samples were tested for presence of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen using the monoclonal antibody. Blocking antibody assay was used to further verify the positive results. RESULTS: Out of 200 pregnant women, 38 (19%) were found positive for Chlamydia trachomatis antigen. Out of the 68 symptomatic patients, C. trachomatis antigen was detected in 26.4%. After verification of the positive samples 13.6% of the asymptomatic pregnant women were found to be harbouring the infection in their genital tract. Two (5.2%) out of the 38 positive samples, on verification with the blocking antibody assay, were found to be false positive by IDEIA,TM thus the specificity of the IDEIATM being 94.8%. In patients with previous history of abortions, 27.7% were tested positive for C. trachomatis infection. CONCLUSIONS: Significant number of pregnant women shad C. trachomatis antigen in their endocervical canal, which can be easily diagnosed by this simple enzyme immuno assay having a specificity of 94.8%. Verification of positive results by antibody blocking assay can further improve the specificity of this non-culture test. Asymptomatic patients should also be screened for the infection. History of previous abortions places the patient at a higher risk for C. trachomatis infection thus such patients should be definitely tested for chlamydia infection.

The Effect of Vero Cell Coculture on the Development of Mouse Embryos Exposed to Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Mammalian Heat Shock Protein 60

Heat shock proteins (HSP) have been identified as an important factor of a very complex and highly conserved cellular defense mechanism to preserve cell survival under adverse environmental conditions. HSP 60 are immunodominant antigens of microbe such as Chlamydia trachomatis and have a potentiality to become a target antigen due to antigenic similarity between chlamydial and human HSP. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Vero cell coculture to anti-HSP 60 on the early mouse embryo development in vitro. The 2-cell mouse embryos (ICR) were cultured and mouse embryo development was observed every 24 hr for 3 days. 45% and 22.1% of the embryos cultured in Ham's F-10 plus anti HSP 60 with Vero cells developed to the 4- to 8- cell stage (day 1) and morular stage (day 2) as compared with 29.2% and 2.7% of those cultured without Vero cells respectively. But at day 3, the beneficial effect of Vero cells was not noted. These findings suggest that Vero cells have some roles to overcome the detrimental effect of anti-HSP 60 to some degree. These results suggest that Vero cells coculture will promote reproductive outcome in patient previously sensitized to microbial (e.g. Chlamydia trachomatis) HSP 60.

Seroprevalence of Chalmydia trachomatis infection amongst patients with pelvic inflammatory diseases and infertility.

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease in female population. This infection can be diagnosed both by culture and serology. The present study evaluated the seroprevalence of chlamydial infection in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (ND) and infertility and in control population of healthy normal females. The seroprevalence was found to be 82.7% in patients and 32% in controls by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) for any one or more class of antichlamydial antibodies (IgG/IgM/ IgA). The study demonstrates the importance of serology to monitor trends of chlamydial infections in women with PID and infertility.

Anticuerpos contra Chlamydophilaen pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio y riesgo coronario, y su relación con la muerte / Antibodies against Chlamydophila in patients with acute myocardial infarction and coronary risk and their association with mortality

OBJETIVO: Determinar si los anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila pneumoniae en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio y factores de riesgo coronario se asocian con la muerte. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se hizo un estudio observacional, prospectivo, transversal y comparativo. Se incluyeron en el estudio 100 sujetos que, entre 1999 y 2000, estuvieron hospitalizados en la Unidad Coronaria del Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico La Raza, del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Se trataba de una muestra constituida por pacientes de ambos sexos, mayores de 18 años, con infarto agudo del miocardio y riesgo coronario. Mediante microinmunofluorescencia indirecta se identificaron anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psitacii y Chlamydia trachomatis. De entre los 100 sujetos, se eligieron al azar 33, a quienes se les determinaron anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila, no sólo durante su estancia en el hospital, sino también al salir de éste y a los tres meses de haber sufrido el infarto agudo del miocardio. Se calcularon las medias y las desviaciones geométricas estándares para los títulos de anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila, y se determinó la razón de momios y el intervalo de confianza al 95 por ciento entre los factores de riesgo coronario y la muerte. RESULTADOS: Setenta por ciento de los pacientes de la muestra inicial presentaron anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila pneumoniae; no se identificaron anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila psitacii y Chlamydia trachomatis. No se observó una fuerza de asociación estadísticamente significativa con la muerte en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio y factores de riesgo coronario. De los 33 individuos de la submuestra, 25 presentaron anticuerpos contra Chlamydophila pneumoniae, y en 83 por ciento de estos últimos casos, se registró un descenso de dichos anticuerpos a los tres meses de haberse presentado el infarto agudo del miocardio. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de que en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio y riesgo coronario se presentó un incremento en la frecuencia de seropositividad a Chlamydophila pneumoniae, no se observó una fuerza de asociación estadísticamente significativa de ello con la muerte.

Immunocomb Chlamydia bivalent assay to study Chlamydia species-specific antibodies in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Serological evidences suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary heart disease (CHD). Efficacy of available serological tests for detection of C. pneumoniae antibody has been debated. The present study was carried-out to assess the efficacy of Immunocomb Chlamydia bivalent IgG assay vis-à-vis micro immunofluorescence (MIF) test in detecting C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis--specific antibodies in patients with CHD. METHODS: Serum samples collected from clinically confirmed cases of CHD (n=114) were subjected to Immunocomb Chlamydia bivalent assay and the standard MIF test. Antibodies specific to C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis were detected quantitatively. RESULTS: Though Immunocomb Chlamydia bivalent test yielded 73.7 per cent positivity for C. pneumoniae- specific IgG antibody (compared to 50.8% by MIF), the specificity of Immunocomb was found only 32.14 per cent. Positive and negative predictive values of Immunocomb assay were 54.8 and 60.0 per cent respectively. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicated that though Immunocomb assay was inferior to MIF, it can be used as a method for presumptive serology due to its rapidity and ease of performance. Wherever possible, one or more additional tests should also be performed to increase the specificity of such studies.

Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis and HPV Infection Among Sexually Active Teenage Girls in Upper Silesia, Poland

No abstract available.

Alteraciones en la citología cervical y respuesta inmune contra Chlamydia trachomatis en trabajadoras sexuales

Resumen. Existen controversias en cuanto a la asociación entre infección por Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) y el desarrollo de neoplasia cervical. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la presencia de anticuerpos contra la C. trachomatis de tipo IgG en suero e IgA en moco cervical y la prevalencia de modificaciones en citología cervical. Se evaluaron 166 mujeres trabajadoras sexuales, controladas en el servicio de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual de la Unidad Sanitaria de los Teques, Estado Miranda, Venezuela. Fueron entrevistadas y evaluadas para cervicitis y se tomó muestras de moco cervical y sangre para la determinación de anticuerpos contra C. trachomatis de tipo IgA e IgG (ELISA). Se tomaron muestras cervicales y se estudiaron por coloración de Pap. Los resultados fueron evaluados estadísticamente (Chi cuadrado, Keldal Tau). La prevalencia de IgA contra C. trachomatis en moco cervical fue de 45,2% y la de IgG en suero sanguíneo fue de 69,3%. El 38,0% de las citologías cervicales fue reportada normal o con cambios inflamatorios leves, el 35,5% inflamación moderada, el 25,3% inflamación severa y un 1,2% presentó lesiones intraepiteliales escamosas de bajo grado (LIEBG). No se encontró correlación estadísticamente significativa entre la presencia de anticuerpos contra C. trachomatis (IgA e IgG) y la de cervicitis, ni con los resultados de la citología. En conclusión, no se observó asociación entre respuesta inmune contra C. trachomatis y resultados de la citología cervical ni la presencia de cervicitis. Sin embargo, la existencia de otras infecciones simultáneas pudiera haber interferido en la observación de una posible asociación entre estas variables.

Abstract. There are controversies about the relationship between Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) infections and development of cervical carcinoma. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the relation between the presence of IgG against C. trachomatis in serum and IgA in cervical mucus with the prevalence of abnormalities in the Papanicolaou smears. One hundred sixty-six sexual workers were evaluated. They were checked up for sexual transmitted diseases (STD) at the "Unidad Sanitaria de Los Teques, Edo. Miranda". Sexual workers were interviewed and had a gynecological evaluation. Cervical mucus and peripheral blood samples were obtained to determine antibodies IgA and IgG against C. trachomatis. Cervical samples were taken to be evaluated by Papanicolaou staining. The association among the different variables was statistically evaluated (Chi squared and Kendal Tau). The prevalence of antibodies isotype IgA against C. trachomatis in cervical mucus was 45.2% and IgG in serum was 69.3%. Papanicolaou smear showed that 38% of women had normal or low inflammation grade, 35.5% moderate inflammation, 25.3% severe inflammation and 1.2% presented Low Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LGSIL). There was no statistical correlation among presence of antibodies against C. trachomatis, presence of cervicitis and Papanicoloau smears. In conclusion we could not observe any relationships between immune response against C. trachomatis, cervicitis and Papanicolaou smears abnormalities. However, it is important to consider that other infections, that could be present simultaneously, could interfere in the interpretation of the results.

Seroanalysis of Chlamydia trachomatis and S-TORCH agents in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Genital tract infections are an important cause of pregnancy loss, many of which are amenable to treatment. There is scarcity of literature on role of S-TORCH agents in recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) and available data on role of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is controversial. In a retrospective analysis, CT IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies were tested by indirect ELISA in 86, 53 and 30 sera samples respectively from women with RSA (= or > 3 abortions). IgM antibodies using m-capture ELISA for S-TORCH agents (Syphilis, tested by VDRL) were analysed in 47 sera from women with RSA. Results compared with 29 age matched normal pregnant women. Anatomical, endocrine, Rh incompatibility and chromosomal abnormality in the couple were ruled out prior to inclusion in the study. Serum anti-CT IgM positivity was 46.5% in RSA vs. 13.8% in control group (p < 0.001). S-TORCH positivity in RSA group was 31.9% and nil in the control group (p < 0.005). Present study demonstrates a strong association between IgM antibodies to CT and S-TORCH agents in women with history of RSA.

Comparison of direct immunofluorescence and ELISA for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen in the patients of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Fifty female patients clinically diagnosed as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) attending Gynaecology OPD of Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital were studied for the presence of Chlamydial antigen by direct immunofluorescence (DFA) and Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) test. Out of fifty PID patients Chlamydia tracchomatis lipopolysaccharide antigen could be detected in 28% of cases by ELISA and Chlamydial outer membrane protein antigen could be detected in 32% of cases by DFA. Although in the present study DFA and ELISA compare well with each other, but DFA has been found to be more specific test as it detects outer membrane protein antigen of Chlamydia trachomatis.

A study of prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with first trimester pregnancy losses.

The study included 125 patients in the first trimester of pregnancy, who were divided into group A (50 control subjects with normal intrauterine pregnancy), Group B (50 patients with spontaneous abortion), group C (25 patients with ectopic pregnancy). All the patients were investigated including routine blood and urine tests and special tests related to the cause of pregnancy loss. The patients were tested for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis by ELISA technique and conjunctival smear were tested for presence of inclusion bodies to C. trachomatis. It was concluded that C. trachomatis is one of the important cause of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy. It is highly prevalent in our population, the prevalence being 10% in group A, 26% in group B, 28% in group C. Conjunctival smear showed presence of inclusion bodies in 0.8% patients. With abortions then risk of lower genital tract chlamydia infection spreading to upper genital tract increases. ELISA for C. trachomatis should be done when women are being investigated for the cause of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy.

Prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Chlamydia trachomatis y anti-Neisseria gonorrhoeae en grupos de individuos de la población mexicana / Prevalence of antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Mexican populations

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de infección por Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) y Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) en grupos de individuos con diferente riesgo para infecciones de transmisión sexual. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal multicéntrico efectuado en el Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, de la Ciudad de México, de enero de 1992 a diciembre de 1993, en el que se estudiaron 945 individuos en edad reproductiva, 585 mujeres y 360 hombres. Según su riesgo para infecciones de transmisión sexual se clasificaron en grupos de alto y bajo riesgo. Los de alto riesgo incluyeron mujeres infértiles con daño tubario, mujeres con embarazo ectópico o aborto, hombres infértiles, pacientes con VIH/SIDA, hombres homo o bisexuales y trabajadoras del sexo comercial (TSC). Los de bajo riesgo: mujeres primigestas, hombres fértiles y mujeres infértiles sin daño tubario. Se determinó en duplicado IgG e IgA anti-NG y anti-CT en suero, por análisis inmunoenzimático, utilizando como antígeno el pili de NG y la fracción L1 de CT. Se calcularon porcentajes. RESULTADOS: En mujeres la prevalencia para NG fue IgG 13.7 por ciento e IgA 14.3 por ciento, y para CT fue IgG 11.4 por ciento e IgA 4.4 por ciento. En hombres, NG 3.3 por ciento y 13.3 por ciento, respectivamente, y para CT 7.2 por ciento y 5.5 por ciento, respectivamente. En TSC se encontró NG en 31.2 por ciento y 28.4 por ciento, respectivamente, y para CT 25.0 por ciento y 5.7 por ciento, respectivamente. En mujeres con infertilidad por daño tubario, NG 5.6 por ciento y 9.8 por ciento, respectivamente, y CT 8.4 por ciento y 1.4 por ciento, respectivamente. En 110 primigestas jóvenes, NG 4.5 por ciento y 10.0 por ciento, respectivamente, y CT 3.6 por ciento y 9.1 por ciento, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Estos datos confirman la prevalencia elevada de Neisseria gonorrhoeae y Chlamydia trachomatis en trabajadoras del sexo comercial y en hombres homo/bisexuales, pero no en otros grupos de alto riesgo como las mujeres infértiles, con aborto o embarazo ectópico.

Microbiological study of neonatal conjunctivitis with special reference to Chlamydia trachomatis.

PURPOSE: To study the microbial agents, chiefly Chlamydia trachomatis and other bacteria, in neonatal conjunctivitis. METHODS: Conjunctival specimens from 70 newborns with conjunctivitis were subjected to bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, monoclonal antibody based C. trachomatis antigen detection test and species-specific Chlamydia antibody detection in the sera of babies and their mothers, by micro-immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from 35 (50%) babies; the majority (20, 57.14%) were Staphylococcus epidermidis. C. trachomatis antigen was detected in conjunctival smears of 17 (24%) babies, and 6 (35.29%) of them were positive for other bacteria. Six babies and their mothers tested positive for C. trachomatis Ig G antibodies. At follow-up after 14 weeks, 6 (35.29%) of the Chlamydia antigen-positive babies were found to have developed recurrent conjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: C. trachomatis is responsible for almost a quarter of all cases of neonatal conjunctivitis, with recurrences in 35% of cases. Bacteria could be isolated from 50% of the patients though the exact role of Staphylococcus epidermidis, isolated from 28.65% of the neonatal conjunctivitis cases, remains unclear.

Species specific chlamydiae antibodies in voluntary blood donors of Delhi.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Different species of genus Chlamydia have been associated with ocular, genitourinary and respiratory infections, and coronary artery disease. Since the majority of these infections remain asymptomatic or subclinical, antibodies may be present in apparently healthy individuals, and the determination of species specific Chlamydia antibodies in a healthy population may reflect exposure. We therefore screened the sera of healthy blood donors for species specific Chlamydia antibodies by microimmunofluorescence assay. METHODS: Sera of 844 voluntary blood donors from Delhi were screened by microimmunofluorescence assay using specific antigens of C. trachomatis (18 serovars divided in 3 pools of serotypes A-C, D-K and L1-L3), C. psittaci and C. pneumoniae for Chlamydia antibodies. RESULTS: A total of 470 (55.69%) blood donors were found positive for Chlamydia antibodies. Of these, 361(42.77%) were positive for C. pneumoniae, 106 (12.5%) for C. trachomatis [of which 72 (8.5%) were against serotypes D-K and 34(4%) were against serotypes A-C]. There donors (0.3%) had antibodies to C. psittaci. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results suggested that more than half of the study population (55.69%) is exposed to one or other species of chlamydiae. Majority of the donors (44.7%) had C. pneumoniae antibodies, suggesting the presence of widespread apparent or inapparent C. pneumoniae infection. The findings also suggest that Chlamydia antibody testing for the diagnosis of chlamydial infections may not be helpful due to the presence of antibodies in a large proportion of healthy individuals.