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PubMed1996

Trends in chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases in a university health service.

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in a primarily student-based patient population served by a university health service was reviewed because of the perception that the number of positive chlamydia tests was declining. The most striking finding that emerged was that there was, indeed, a persistent and steady decline in the rates of chlamydia infection over the study time period of 1989 to 1994. Other sexually transmitted diseases showed less definite declines or no significant change. The authors evaluated the number of positive chlamydia tests in the health service with symptoms suggestive of chlamydia infection. Of all university health service patients who tested positive for chlamydia, 48.8% were asymptomatic. A majority (75.2%) of the female patients who tested positive on their annual routine family-planning examination were also asymptomatic for chlamydia. Chlamydia-positive men presenting to the health service were far more likely to be symptomatic than were the women who were positive. Overall, a significant decrease in chlamydia occurred over the 5-year period in spite of an increasing enrollment, a fact that could perhaps be attributable to students' increased awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infections and their use of condoms.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed1985

The effect of Chlamydia trachomatis on luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: requirements for opsonization.

The factors involved in the in vitro interaction of two strains of Chlamydia trachomatis with polymorphonuclear leukocytes were studied by employing the technique of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Unopsonized, partially purified elementary bodies of chlamydia failed to induce a significant chemiluminescence response when compared with serum-activated zymosan (less than 90%). Opsonization of the chlamydia with human sera greatly enhanced the chemiluminescence response. This enhancement was independent of the presence or absence of antibody specific for chlamydia or of complement. Primate serum had 77% of the activity of human serum; nonprimate sera (sheep, cow, horse, and rabbit) demonstrated substantially less activity. The magnitude of the chemiluminescence response observed with opsonized chlamydia was also dependent on the chlamydia-to-polymorphonuclear leukocyte ratio, with the greatest effect seen at 10:1. Chlamydia opsonized with human sera containing less than 100 mg of IgG/dl did not stimulate chemiluminescence more than did unopsonized chlamydia. These results suggest that human IgG may interact with C. trachomatis independent of specific antibody-binding sites.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Chlamydia screening in a Health Plan before and after a national performance measure introduction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate chlamydia-screening policies, testing practices, and the proportion testing positive in response to the new Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) chlamydia-screening performance measure in a large commercial health plan. METHODS: We interviewed health plan specialty departmental chiefs to describe interventions used to increase chlamydia screening and examined electronic medical records of 15- to 26-year-old female patients--37,438 from 1998 to 1999 and 37,237 from 2000 to 2001--who were classified as sexually active by HEDIS specifications to estimate chlamydia testing and positive tests 2 years before and after the HEDIS measure introduction. RESULTS: In January 2000, the obstetrics and gynecology department instituted a policy to collect chlamydia tests at the time of routine Pap tests on all females 26 years old or younger by placing chlamydia swabs next to Pap test collection materials. Other primary care departments provided screening recommendations and provider training. During 1998-1999, 57% of eligible female patients seen by obstetrics and gynecology exclusively and 63% who were also seen by primary care were tested for chlamydia; in 2000-2001 the proportions tested increased to 81% (P < .001) and 84% (P < .001). Proportions tested by other primary care specialists did not increase substantially: 30% in 1998-1999 to 32% in 2000-2001. The proportion of females testing positive remained high after testing rates increased: 8% during 1998-1999 and 7% during 2000-2001, and the number of newly diagnosed females increased 10%. CONCLUSION: After the obstetrics and gynecology department introduced a simple systems-level change in response to the HEDIS measure, the proportion of females chlamydia-tested and number of newly diagnosed females increased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Chlamydia-induced arthritis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chlamydia-induced arthritis is the most frequent form of reactive arthritis in Western countries. This article gives an overview of the recent findings with respect to diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapy of the disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances in the modification and standardization of polymerase chain reaction techniques give promise to identify Chlamydia more frequently from joint samples. Based on the sequenced chlamydial genome, considerable progress has been achieved in the understanding of the Chlamydia-host cell interaction, indicating that persistence is an alternate state of the bacteria used by Chlamydia to escape the immune system of the host rather than a general stress response. Furthermore, Chlamydia has the ability to reprogram the host cell by chlamydial effector proteins, which are transported from the inclusion into the host cell cytoplasm. The role of HLA-B27 is discussed in view of the pathogenesis of the disease. HLA-B27 should be considered a risk factor for chronic and/or axial disease rather than a true susceptibility factor for the development of Chlamydia-induced arthritis. No progress has been made in terms of causative therapy aiming at eradication of the bacteria. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agents may represent a new option in cases that are refractory to therapy. SUMMARY: Molecular biology not only has improved the ability to detect Chlamydia in the joint for diagnostic purposes but also has extended the current understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. In contrast to this progress, causative therapy of Chlamydia-induced arthritis is still an unfulfilled need.

Arthritis, Reactive↗
PubMed1978

Chlamydia trachomatis in non-specific urethritis.

Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 58.5% of 159 patients with non-specific urethritis (NSU) using irradiated McCoy cell cultures. Patients with persistent Chlamydia-positive NSU remained Chlamydia-positive each time they were examined before treatment and patients with Chlamydia-negative NSU remained Chlamydia-negative during the course of the illness. Neither the duration of symptoms of urethritis nor a history of previous urethritis affected the chlamydial isolation rate significantly. Of 40 patients with severe discharge 30 (75%) harboured C. trachomatis. One-third of the Chlamydia-positive patients had a severe urethral discharge, while this was present in only 15% of Chlamydia-negative patients. Complications--such as conjunctivitis, arthritis, and epididymitis--were more severe in men with Chlamdia-positive NSU than in those with Chlamydia-negative NSU. Of 64 men matched for sexual promiscuity but without urethritis, none harboured C. trachomatis in his urethra. This differs significantly (P less than 0.001) when compared with patients with NSU. C. trachomatis was isolated from the urogenital tract in 24 (42%) out of 57 female sexual contacts of patients with NSU. The presence of C. trachomatis in the women correlated significantly (P less than 0.001) with the isolation of the agent from their male contacts. These findings give further evidence for the aetiological role of C. trachomatis in non-specific urethritis and its sexual transmission.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Determinants of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Italy. The Italian MEGIC Group.

OBJECTIVE: to analyse the prevalence of cervical chlamydia infection and its determinants in an Italian population of women attending outpatients services for contraceptive counselling or routine gynaecological examination. METHODS: between November 1989 and November 1990 we conducted a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women attending the outpatients service of seven university clinics in Northern (three centres), Central (three centres) and Southern (one centre) Italy. Eligible for the study were subjects with symptomatic low gynaecological tract infection (a total of 2071 women), a history of recurrent abortions (two or more miscarriages and no livebirth (416 subjects)), or sterility (371 subjects), plus a sample of asymptomatic women observed for contraceptive counselling or routine gynaecological examination identified on randomly selected days at the participating centres (1321 subjects). During the gynaecological consultation women were asked about their general characteristics, reproductive history, contraceptive and sexual habits, and history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) using a standard questionnaire. An endocervical specimen was obtained with a plastic swab. The direct smear immunofluorescent antibody test (IFA test) was used to detect chlamydia antigens. RESULTS: out of the 2071 women with genital infection, 104 (5.0%) had cervical chlamydia infection; the corresponding percentages were 4.6 (19/416), 5.4 (20/371) and 3.9 (51/1321) respectively in women with recurrent abortions, sterility and in asymptomatic subjects. The risk of chlamydia infection was higher in women reporting a history of STD: in comparison with those without a history of STD, the relative risk of chlamydia infection was 1.4 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.0-2.0). Among women reporting current use of a contraceptive method the risk of cervical chlamydia infection was lower in current users of barrier methods; in comparison with oral contraceptive users, the RR was 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.8) in barrier methods users and 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2-1.1) in intrauterine device or other methods users. No consistent relationship emerged with age, reproductive history or number of sexual partners over the last 12 months. CONCLUSION: in this Italian population the frequency of cervical chlamydia infection appeared to be lower than in other selected groups from Northern European and American countries. Users of barrier contraception methods were at reduced risk of infection.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2006

BLAST screening of chlamydial genomes to identify signature proteins that are unique for the Chlamydiales, Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydophila and Chlamydia groups of species.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydiae species are of much importance from a clinical viewpoint. Their diversity both in terms of their numbers as well as clinical involvement are presently believed to be significantly underestimated. The obligate intracellular nature of chlamydiae has also limited their genetic and biochemical studies. Thus, it is of importance to develop additional means for their identification and characterization. RESULTS: We have carried out analyses of available chlamydiae genomes to identify sets of unique proteins that are either specific for all Chlamydiales genomes, or different Chlamydiaceae family members, or members of the Chlamydia and Chlamydophila genera, or those unique to Protochlamydia amoebophila, but which are not found in any other bacteria. In total, 59 Chlamydiales-specific proteins, 79 Chlamydiaceae-specific proteins, 20 proteins each that are specific for both Chlamydia and Chlamydophila and 445 ORFs that are Protochlamydia-specific were identified. Additionally, 33 cases of possible gene loss or lateral gene transfer were also detected. CONCLUSION: The identified chlamydiae-lineage specific proteins, many of which are highly conserved, provide novel biomarkers that should prove of much value in the diagnosis of these bacteria and in exploration of their prevalence and diversity. These conserved protein sequences (CPSs) also provide novel therapeutic targets for drugs that are specific for these bacteria. Lastly, functional studies on these chlamydiae or chlamydiae subgroup-specific proteins should lead to important insights into lineage-specific adaptations with regards to development, infectivity and pathogenicity.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physiological and general health effects of chlamydia on men.

While chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that predominately affects females, this article concerns men and chlamydia. This article discusses the epidemiology, aetiology and signs and symptoms associated with a chlamydia infection. An outline of the consequences following infection will be presented along with the recommended treatment regimen. Chlamydia has the potential to become the interface between men's health and women's health. Most cases of chlamydia in women are a result of sexual contact with an infected man, and nearly all cases of chlamydia in the male, therefore, are the result of sexual contact with an infected woman. Addressing the sexual healthcare needs of men in relation to chlamydia has the potential to prevent the detrimental effects chlamydia may have on the female.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiologic differences between chlamydia and gonorrhea.

To assess the prevalence, demographics, and transmission patterns of genital chlamydia infection, we screened 3,078 patients, and compared identified cases (N = 511) to gonorrhea cases (N = 291) diagnosed in the same setting. Chlamydia cases were younger and more likely to be White than their gonorrhea counterparts. Chlamydia cases were distributed diffusely; geographic overlap between the two diseases was only about 40 percent. Gonococcal coinfection was noted in less than 10 percent of patients with chlamydia. Nearly half of men with chlamydia and four-fifths of women were asymptomatic and most cases were identified through screening or contact tracing. Populations at high risk for chlamydia are seemingly different from those for gonorrhea. Differences may be due to control interventions (active for gonorrhea, passive for chlamydia). Chlamydia case reporting and control initiatives are recommended.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Zinc and Chlamydia trachomatis.

Zinc was noted to have significant effects upon the infection of McCoy cells by each of two strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. With a high or low Chlamydia inoculant, the number of infected cells increased up to 200% utilizing supplemental zinc (up to 1 X 10(-4) M) in the inoculation media compared with standard Chlamydia cultivation media (8 X 10(-6) M zinc). Ferric chloride and calcium chloride did not effect any such changes. Higher concentrations of zinc, after 2 hr of incubation with Chlamydia, significantly decreased the number of inclusions. This direct effect of zinc on the Chlamydia remained constant after further repassage of the Chlamydia without supplemental zinc, suggesting a lethal effect of the zinc. Supplemental zinc (up to 10(-4)M) may prove to be a useful addition to inoculation media to increase the yield of culturing for Chlamydia trachomatis. Similarly, topical or oral zinc preparations used by people may alter their susceptivity to Chlamydia trachomatis infections.

Calcium Chloride↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The relation between carotid ultrasound changes and seropositivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with acute stroke].

INTRODUCTION: Several infectious agents have been found to be involved in atherogenesis over the past decade. Chlamydia pneumoniae is one of the commonest associated agents. In this study we have analysed the possible relationship between a high level of antibodies to Chlamydia, and the presence of carotid ultrasound changes in patients who have had strokes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 230 patients admitted consecutively to the Stroke Unit in our hospital, with the diagnosis of stroke. All the patients in the group had carotid duplex ultrasound studies to assess the degree of stenosis. All these patients also had serological studies using micro-immunofluorescence to detect antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae. RESULTS: Only 35 patients were found to have positive Chlamydia pneumoniae serology. The degree of atheromatosis was similar in the patients with high levels of IgG for Chlamydia pneumoniae and in those with normal serology. There was no statistically significant relation between the degree of stenosis and being seropositive for Chlamydiae. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in an unselected population of stroke patients there is no relations between carotid atheromatosis and positive serology findings to Chlamydia pneumoniae. If there is any relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and carotid atheromatosis, serology does not seem to be a technique which is suitable for its assessment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Doxycycline versus doxycycline and rifampin in undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, with special reference to chlamydia-induced arthritis. A prospective, randomized 9-month comparison.

OBJECTIVE: Chlamydia is a known trigger of reactive arthritis (ReA). It may also be common cause of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (uSpA). Persistent, metabolically active, Chlamydiae have been observed in the synovial tissue of these patients years after their initial exposure. Trials with lymecycline and rifampin have shown benefit in early/acute Chlamydia-induced arthritis. In vitro data suggest that persistent Chlamydia become resistant to chronic monotherapy of tetracyclines or rifampin, whereas no such resistance is noted when rifampin is added to antimicrobials that are active against Chlamydia. Rifampin and doxycycline also show synergistic effect against Chlamydia. In addition, rifampin inhibits chlamydial production of heat shock proteins (HSP). HSP60 plays a key role in the chronic persistent state of Chlamydia. We conducted a prospective, randomized 9-month trial to evaluate the efficacy of doxycycline versus a combination of doxycycline and rifampin in the treatment of uSpA. METHODS: The study enrolled 30 patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis (average disease duration 10 yrs) who fulfilled the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria, with no evidence of inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, or preceding dysentery. Patients received doxycycline 100 mg po twice daily or a combination of doxycycline 100 mg po twice daily and rifampin 600 mg po daily. They received a 4-question self-questionnaire and a blinded joint examination at each visit. The questions include a visual analog scale (VAS) for their current amount of back pain, duration of morning stiffness, back pain at night, and peripheral joint pain. The blinded joint examination consisted of a swollen joint count (SJC) and a tender joint count (TJC). These 6 variables were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. Responders were defined as those who improved > or = 20% in at least 4 of the 6 variables at 9 months of therapy. RESULTS: Comparing the doxycycline + rifampin arm (D/R) versus the doxycycline arm (D) at 9 months of therapy, all 6 variables improved more in D/R versus D, 4 of which were statistically significant. The mean VAS (scale of 100) decreased 24.4 points in D/R in contrast to 3 points in D (p < 0.03). Duration of morning stiffness decreased by 1.2 h in D/R, with a slight increase of 0.1 h in D (p < 0.003). The back pain at night and peripheral joint pain both improved in D/R group versus D (not statistically significant). Finally, the SJC and TJC also improved in D/R (-2.1 and -2.5) versus D (-0.4 and -0.6; p = 0.02, p = 0.03, respectively). Eleven of 15 patients in the D/R arm were responders, whereas only 2 of 15 D group patients were considered responders (p < 0.003). CONCLUSION: The combination of doxycycline and rifampin for 9 months seemed to be effective in treatment of chronic uSpA. This is the first study to demonstrate therapeutic benefit with antimicrobials to a chronic inflammatory arthritis possibly secondary to persistent Chlamydia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

What do you get when you fall in love?: Warehouse Youth Health Centre chlamydia audit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the chlamydia audit was to determine the rate of positive diagnosis of chlamydia trachomatis in young people aged 12 to 25 years of age who were tested at the Warehouse Youth Health Centre, Sydney, Australia, in 2001 and to review current practice relating to chlamydia testing. DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted on the medical records of clients identified through the pathology register as having a chlamydia test during 2001 from 1 January to 31 December 2001. The data were descriptively analysed. SETTING: The Warehouse Youth Health Centre, an FPA (Family Planning Australia) Health service which targets young people in Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. RESULTS: Chlamydia tests were performed on 194 clients at the Warehouse Youth Health Centre in 2001. Tests were performed on 179 (92.3%) female and 15 (7.7%) male clients. The overall positivity rate was 8.8% (17/194). Of the positive chlamydia tests 82.4% (14/17) were female clients and 17.6% (3/17) were male clients. The most common reasons for the clinician or client requesting the chlamydia tests were because the client was symptomatic, had unprotected sexual intercourse or had multiple partners. CONCLUSION: The major recommendation from this audit is for chlamydia screening for all sexually active young people under the age of 25 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Development and regulation of chlamydia-responsive murine B lymphocytes.

We have examined characteristics of chlamydia-stimulated mouse B cells as well as cells that regulate polyclonal responses in vitro. B lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by chlamydia arises at a similar time as Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferative responses during ontogeny. In contrast, development of immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells after chlamydia stimulation is delayed by several weeks relative to ontogeny of LPS-inducible plaque-forming cells (PFC). The lack of Ig secretion by immature B cells is not due to a deficiency of Lyb5+ B lymphocytes, since X-linked immunodeficient (xid) NBF1 mice that lack this B lymphocyte population respond well to chlamydia stimulation. Adherent cells are important for chlamydia-stimulated B lymphocyte differentiation, but are not as necessary for their proliferation. Neither adult adherent cells nor T cells can correct the inability of immature spleen cells to develop into Ig-secreting cells; spleen cells from 2-wk-old mice (i.e., immature B cells) will not suppress adult B lymphocyte responses to chlamydia. When B lymphocytes are separated according to their buoyant densities, chlamydia stimulates low density (activated) B cells to proliferate and differentiate better than high density (resting) cells. Proliferative responses to chlamydia arise earlier during ontogeny, do not require adherent cells, and can proceed to a relatively greater extent in resting B cell population (compared with activated B cells) than induction of Ig-secreting cells.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chlamydia trachomatis infection among Hispanic women in the California-Mexico border area, 1993: establishing screening criteria in a primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia prevalence and transmission patterns in California-Mexico border communities are unknown, and selective screening strategies for Hispanic populations have not been evaluated. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To determine chlamydia prevalence among Hispanic women in the California-Mexico border area and established screening criteria. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional prevalence survey of family planning/prenatal Hispanic clients (n = 2378) in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, and Tijuana, Mexico. RESULTS: Overall, chlamydia prevalence was 3.2% (3.3% in California; 2.1% in Mexico). Women born in Mexico or those who visited Mexico for at least 1 week in the recent past had a prevalence rate similar to women without those characteristics. Multivariate analysis showed that young age (less than 25 years old), unmarried status, or having clinical signs of a chlamydia syndrome (primarily cervicitis) or vaginosis independently predicted chlamydia infection. Applying minimum screening criteria recommended by the Centers for Disease Control would require screening less than half of the clients. However, only 69% of infections would be identified. Using survey-based criteria (less than 25 years old, unmarried, and clinical signs of a chlamydia syndrome) would require screening 64% of clients, but would identify 92% of those infected. CONCLUSION: Chlamydia prevalence among Hispanic women seeking reproductive healthcare was similar (< 5%) on both sides of the California-Mexico border. Among Hispanic women, using easily obtained demographic data (age and marital status) and clinical signs (primarily cervicitis), an effective selective screening strategy can be implemented.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis: a systematic review of the economic evaluations and modelling.

OBJECTIVE: To review systematically and critically, evidence used to derive estimates of costs and cost effectiveness of chlamydia screening. METHODS: Systematic review. A search of 11 electronic bibliographic databases from the earliest date available to August 2004 using keywords including chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, economic evaluation, and cost. We included studies of chlamydia screening in males and/or females over 14 years, including studies of diagnostic tests, contact tracing, and treatment as part of a screening programme. Outcomes included cases of chlamydia identified and major outcomes averted. We assessed methodological quality and the modelling approach used. RESULTS: Of 713 identified papers we included 57 formal economic evaluations and two cost studies. Most studies found chlamydia screening to be cost effective, partner notification to be an effective adjunct, and testing with nucleic acid amplification tests, and treatment with azithromycin to be cost effective. Methodological problems limited the validity of these findings: most studies used static models that are inappropriate for infectious diseases; restricted outcomes were used as a basis for policy recommendations; and high estimates of the probability of chlamydia associated complications might have overestimated cost effectiveness. Two high quality dynamic modelling studies found opportunistic screening to be cost effective but poor reporting or uncertainty about complication rates make interpretation difficult. CONCLUSION: The inappropriate use of static models to study interventions to prevent a communicable disease means that uncertainty remains about whether chlamydia screening programmes are cost effective or not. The results of this review can be used by health service managers in the allocation of resources, and health economists and other researchers who are considering further research in this area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Primary pathogenicity of an European isolate of Chlamydia psittaci from turkey poults.

Chlamydia psittaci was isolated as the sole pathogenic agent from a severe outbreak of respiratory disease in a commercial broiler turkey farm in the Netherlands. The mortality rate in the flocks was 65%. Clinical signs included conjunctivitis, swelling of the sinus infraorbitalis and sneezing. Cloacal excretion of chlamydia was demonstrated in twelve out of fifteen birds examined by a direct immunofluorescence test. In all the fifteen birds antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci were detected in the sera by a competitive ELISA. At necropsy sinusitis, rhinitis, airsacculitis, pneumonia, pericarditis and enlargement of the liver and spleen were found. Chlamydiae were demonstrated in the sinus material of all and in conjunctival smears of eight of the fifteen examined birds. Chlamydiae were isolated from all the examined birds after one to three passages on Buffalo Green Monkey (BGM) cell cultures using samples taken from lung, liver and spleen. No other pathogens were isolated. The chlamydia isolate was typed using a panel of serovar-specific monoclonal antibodies in a micro-immunofluorescence test. The isolate belonged to the avian Chlamydia psittaci serovar D. Experimental inoculation with this isolate of 7-day-old specific pathogen free (SPF) turkeys resulted in severe clinical signs, with mortality and extensive pathological lesions, similar to those seen in turkeys from the examined broiler turkey farm. From the data it was concluded that this Chlamydia psittaci isolate can cause severe disease in turkeys.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of the IDEIA ELISA to detect Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) in material from aborted fetal membranes and milk from ewes affected by ovine enzootic abortion.

The IDEIA ELISA was used to detect Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) antigen in ewes' milk to which were added serial dilutions of chlamydiae titrated as inclusion forming units (ifus) in McCoy cell tissue culture. The test was able to detect as few as 35 ifus/ml of the organism. The ELISA was then used to detect chlamydial antigen in fetal membranes and milk from ewes clinically affected with ovine enzootic abortion (OEA). The results were compared with results of isolation of chlamydiae in McCoy cell tissue culture from the same material. The fetal membranes of 17 of 19 ewes were positive for chlamydia when tested with the ELISA but chlamydia could be cultured from only 15 of them. Milk samples from 26 ewes which had aborted between 1 and 34 days previously were tested: chlamydiae could not be cultured from any of them and only one was positive when tested by the ELISA. The results show that the IDEIA ELISA is a sensitive test for the detection of C. psittaci (ovis) antigens. The positive results to this test for the three samples from which chlamydiae could not be cultured suggest that the test is not as specific as culture or that it detected dead organisms. Chlamydiae do not appear to be excreted in the milk of ewes affected with OEA.

Abortion, Veterinary↗