Prevalence and persistence of Chlamydia trachomatis-specific antibodies after occasional and recurrent infections.
Sex Transm Infect
; 96(4): 277-282, 2020 06.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31320394
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Population-based Chlamydia trachomatis seroepidemiological studies help to identify trends in chlamydia infection. However, an improved understanding of the antibody response to infection is required when using serology to estimate cumulative incidence. Thus, the objectives of this longitudinal, retrospective, biobank-based study were to assess the appearance and persistence of C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP)-specific serum IgG antibodies after infection and to evaluate the role of antibodies in providing protective immunity against recurrent infection.METHODS:
Data of notified C. trachomatis infections in Finland were obtained from the National Infectious Diseases Register. Serum samples were acquired from the Finnish Maternity Cohort. 411 women with single chlamydia infection and 62 women with recurrent infections, and for whom suitable paired serum samples were available, were included in the study. Antibody appearance, persistence after infection and the impact of recurrent infections were evaluated. IgG antibodies specific for MOMP were measured from serum using an ELISA method.RESULTS:
Anti-C. trachomatis MOMP-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 65.5% (269/411) of women within 3 months of notification of infection. In the absence of recurrent infection, seroprevalence declined to 34.5% (142/411) 3-10 years after the initial infection. The serum antibody levels at baseline correlated positively with seroprevalence at follow-up. Reinfection boosted the humoral immune response by increasing seroprevalence and the serum antibody levels. Seroprevalence within 3 months after first notification of infection was 65.5% (19/29) in women who were later diagnosed with recurrent infection, comparable with women with single notification of infection (65.5%, 269/411).CONCLUSIONS:
Approximately one-third of women with single notification of chlamydia infection remain seropositive 3-10 years after the initial infection. The concentration of antibodies remained stable during the follow-up. Recurrent infection boosted the humoral immune response, but reinfection occurred despite the presence of pre-existing antibodies.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa
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Infecções por Chlamydia
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Chlamydia trachomatis
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Anticorpos Antibacterianos
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Middle aged
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Pregnancy
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article