Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Chlamydia”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,261 records · Page 70Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Epidemics of pneumonia caused by TWAR, a new Chlamydia organism, in military trainees in Finland.

Four epidemics of pneumonia in military trainees in Finland have been shown, by microimmunofluorescence serology, to have been caused by TWAR, a recently described, unique Chlamydia organism. The epidemics occurred in four different garrisons from 1957 to 1985. Each lasted approximately six months, and epidemics occurred during all seasons of the year. The attack rate varied from 60 to 80 per 1000 men. Routine laboratory tests for respiratory agents suggested that these epidemics represented the only clusters of patients since 1970 who were positive for antibody to Chlamydia by complement fixation. From these epidemics, 62 of 70 paired sera that were positive for Chlamydia had antibody diagnostic of recent TWAR infection. Although the conscripts with pneumonia were hospitalized, the illnesses were relatively mild, and none were life threatening. Three conscripts had two episodes of TWAR pneumonia separated by three weeks to three months. Prompt treatment with tetracycline depressed the antibody response.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evidence that Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR, is not sexually transmitted.

Serum specimens from 230 sexually active women were tested for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The women were randomly selected as controls in a population-based case-control study for ectopic pregnancy. A total of 123 had antibody to C. pneumoniae and 39 had antibody to C. trachomatis. There was an association between prevalence of antibody to C. trachomatis and an increasing number of lifetime sexual partners, early age at first intercourse, and a history of gonorrheal infection. The prevalence of antibody to C. pneumoniae was not related to any of these factors. These results provide evidence that the two human species of Chlamydia have a different mode of transmission and that C. pneumoniae is not sexually transmitted.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparative in-vitro activity of moxifloxacin, minocycline and azithromycin against Chlamydia spp.

The in-vitro activity of moxifloxacin, a new 8-methoxyquinolone, was compared with minocycline and azithromycin against 40 strains of Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci. Both the MIC and the MBC of moxifloxacin ranged from 0.03 to 0.125 mg/L. MICs of minocycline ranged from 0.015 to 0.06 mg/L and MBCs between 0.03 and 0.25 mg/L. MICs of azithromycin ranged from 0.03 to 0.125 mg/L and the MBCs between 0.06 and 0.5 mg/L. MBC values of moxifloxacin were the same as MICs in 32 (80%) of 40 strains tested, whereas those of minocycline and azithromycin were two to four times higher than their MICs. These data confirm those previously obtained indicating that quinolones kill chlamydial strains at concentrations equivalent to their MICs.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

Comparative in vitro activity of garenoxacin against Chlamydia spp.

The in vitro susceptibilities of 33 isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci to a new quinolone drug, garenoxacin (BMS-284756), in comparison with levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin and roxithromycin, were determined. Garenoxacin was the most active of the quinolone drugs tested, with identical MIC and MBC, which ranged from 0.007 to 0.03 mg/L. The MIC and MBC of the other two quinolones tested, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, were also identical, ranging from 0.25 to 2 mg/L. The MICs and MBCs of doxycycline, erythromycin and roxithromycin were also determined.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Modeling prevention strategies for gonorrhea and Chlamydia using stochastic network simulations.

A simulation model was used to study the spread of two sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), namely gonorrhea and genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. The model is based on a stochastic pair formation and separation process, which describes the underlying structure of the sexual contact pattern. It is implemented as a Monte Carlo simulation model. Spread of the STDs was modeled in an age-structured heterosexual population with a highly sexually active core group. Contact tracing strategies, screening of various subgroups, and the effect of condom use were compared. The authors conclude that contact tracing is very effective as a prevention strategy, that screening should be targeted to the highly active core group, that age is not sufficient as a determinant for high sexual activity to make screening of certain age groups useful, and, finally, that consistent condom use by a fraction of the population can contribute substantially to the prevention of STDs. All strategies proved more effective for gonorrhea than for Chlamydia prevention, which may explain the relatively high prevalence of Chlamydia found in many heterosexual populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Humoral immune response to the chlamydial heat shock proteins hsp60 and hsp70 in Chlamydia-associated chronic salpingitis with tubal occlusion.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA antibodies to recombinant chlamydial 60 kDa heat shock protein (C-hsp60) and to assess the prevalence of serum IgG antibodies to recombinant chlamydial 70 kDa heat shock protein (C-hsp70) in Chlamydia-associated chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion. Infertile patients (n =34) with Chlamydia-associated, histologically documented chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa and bilateral tubal occlusions (group I) were compared with infertile patients (n = 19) without tubal occlusions (group II). The prevalence of chlamydial antigen in endocervical, urethral and urine samples was low in both groups. The median chlamydial serum IgG and IgA antibody titres were significantly higher in group I than in group II (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0002 respectively). Serum IgG antibodies to C-hsp60 and C-hsp70 were detected in 24 out of 34 patients (71%) in group I compared with 10 out of 19 (53%) and nine out of 19 (47%) patients in group II (not significantly different). There was a significant difference (P = 0.035) between the prevalences of serum IgA antibodies to C-hsp60 in groups I (seven out of 34 patients; 21%) and II (none of the 19 patients). The association between the presence of serum IgA antibodies to C-hsp60 and Chlamydia-associated chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion underlies the significance of chlamydial 60 kDa heat shock protein in the pathogenesis of tubal infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis in semen and relationship with parameters of male fertility.

To screen for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in semen samples from asymptomatic men in couples consulting for infertility and to determine the relationship of seminal chlamydial antibodies with clinically relevant parameters of male fertility, 197 randomly chosen patients were enrolled in a prospective study. The median duration of infertility was 4 years (range 1-18). Screening for C. trachomatis and chlamydial antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG classes were performed in ejaculates and, in parallel, endocervical material from the partners of the patients and serum samples from both partners were evaluated. A comprehensive examination of semen quality included sperm analyses, semen cultures, local antisperm antibody (ASA) testing, the determination of potential infection markers, and sperm-cervical mucus interaction testing in vitro (SCMPT) and in vivo (post-coital testing). Chlamydial IgA antibodies were found in the semen samples of 18.8% (37/197) of the patients, while chlamydial IgG antibodies were found in 8.1% (16/197) of the patients. Screening for C. trachomatis was negative in all semen and cervical specimens. Only 5.5% of men remembered a past genital infection. Chlamydia antibodies (IgA/Ig/G) in semen were significantly correlated with chlamydia IgG antibodies in serum samples (P < 0.001). No marked relationship was found between the presence of seminal chlamydial antibodies and the major parameters of sperm analysis, semen cultures, local ASA and sperm penetration testing as an indicator of functional capacity. Seminal chlamydial antibodies were not significantly associated with potential infection or inflammation markers in aliquots of the same ejaculates. However, a significant relationship of chlamydial antibodies in patients' semen with past genital infections of their female partners was found with clinical relevance for a tubal infertility factor. The results indicate that in asymptomatic patients the presence of chlamydial antibody IgA or IgG in semen is not associated with reduced semen quality, potential seminal infection markers or impaired functional capacity as important determinants of male fertility; however, seminal chlamydial antibodies suggesting a previous sexually transmitted disease are significantly related to a tubal infertility factor of female partners.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Screening for Chlamydia in general practice: a literature review and summary of the evidence.

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the commonest curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) in England and Wales and is one of the chief causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. Infection in women is complicated by the fact that the majority of women with this infection are asymptomatic. It is feasible for general practitioners (GPs) to test for this infection, and there has been debate as to which is the most appropriate screening strategy. In the absence of any national UK guidelines, the purpose of this systematic literature review is to appraise critically and summarize the evidence for screening for genital chlamydia infection in sexually active women attending UK general practice. The four areas to be reviewed are: prevalence of genital chlamydia infection in women attending UK general practice; evidence for routine screening of women attending general practice; evidence for selective screening of women attending general practice; evidence for screening women requesting termination of pregnancy (TOP) or intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. This review should allow GPs and public health practitioners to become aware of the quality of evidence underlying various screening strategies and inform any local guideline development.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed2001

Indirect evidence of intra-articular immunoglobulin G synthesis in patients with Chlamydia trachomatis reactive arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether B-cell stimulation occurs in joints of Chlamydia trachomatis reactive arthritis patients by comparing the immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-C. trachomatis antibody responses in serum and synovial fluid (SF). METHODS: The number and spectrum of C. trachomatis antigens recognized by paired serum and SF samples from 16 patients with C. trachomatis reactive arthritis and 20 patients with other inflammatory arthropathies independent of this bacteria, were studied by immunoblotting. The responses to five different Chlamydia antigens were also determined in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: In C. trachomatis reactive arthritis patients, a higher number of C. trachomatis antigens was recognized by SF (17.6+/-5.1) than by serum (11.1+/-6.3) IgG and a higher intensity of SF IgG binding to the outer membrane protein 2 (OMP2) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an intra-articular IgG production and a possible role of some Chlamydia antigens like OMP2 in the pathogenesis of C. trachomatis reactive arthritis.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1983

Chlamydia and Reiter's syndrome.

The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in Reiter's syndrome (RS) is reviewed. Chlamydia is an obligate, intracellular parasite which can be isolated from urethral smears in 36% of patients with RS. Two separate surveys carried out on RS patients in France, in 1977-78 and in 1982-83 showed that antibodies to C. trachomatis could be detected by a microimmunofluorescence test in 55% and 64% of subjects, respectively, and this is significantly higher than the levels found in rheumatoid or healthy controls. Further studies are indicated to evaluate the role of Chlamydia in RS.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Rapid communication: Cervical Chlamydia trachomatis in women at low risk for infection.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis can cause asymptomatic genital infection in persons at risk for acquisition of the organism. We employed 2 independent molecular screening systems to assess such inapparent cervical chlamydial infections in low-risk female patients attending general (non-STD) clinics in 2 locations. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-five cervical swab samples were obtained in duplicate from patients attending a general women's clinic (278 samples) and a colposcopy clinic (97 samples). One set of samples from the general clinic was screened by a highly-specific molecular hybridization system, using a probe targeting the chlamydial 16S ribosomal RNA; the other set was screened with the use of the Chlamydiazyme test. Samples from the colposcopy clinic were screened using a sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay system targeting chlamydia; the duplicates were assayed by direct fluorescent antibody assay (DFA). RESULTS: Of the 278 patients screened by RNA-directed hybridization, 6.5% were positive for C. trachomatis, in contrast to screening of duplicate samples via Chlamydiazyme, which indicated that 3.6% were infected. PCR-based screening of the additional 97 patients gave a positivity rate of 17.5% for the organism, whereas DFA on duplicate samples from this group showed only 7.5% positive. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the level of asymptomatic cervical C. trachomatis infection is significant even in women who are at low risk for such infections; the data also indicate that results from standard laboratory screening for chlamydia should be viewed with caution.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age and clinical immunity to infections with Chlamydia trachomatis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of chlamydial infection decreases with age possibly in part because of increasing immunity. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To determine whether increased age is an independent predictor of decreased chlamydial infection and whether chlamydia-specific antibody titer and blastogenesis increase with age. STUDY DESIGN: Data from all patients cultured for Chlamydia trachomatis between January 1984 and August 1989 were examined and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify the independent predictors of culture positivity. Antichlamydial antibody titer and chlamydia-specific blastogenesis were examined for a subset of patients for correlation with age. RESULTS: Young age was found to be predictive of chlamydial infection independent of all factors examined in men and women. Antibody titers had no relation to age (n = 245) whereas the level of blastogenesis correlated only weakly with age (n = 155). CONCLUSIONS: Assays of systemic immunity do not reflect the protection from chlamydial infection associated with age.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens in male urethral swabs and urines with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: More information is needed on the natural history of Chlamydia trachomatis urethral infections in men. Newer assays for detecting antigens in male first void urine and urethral swabs identify patients for control programs. A new microparticle enzyme immunoassay from Abbott Laboratories called IMX Select Chlamydia was evaluated and compared with culture and an expanded gold standard for sensitivity and specificity. STUDY DESIGN: Paired samples of first void urine and two urethral swabs were tested from 230 men, 73% of whom had symptoms of urethritis. Both specimen types were tested with IMX Select, the other swab was cultured, and a part of the first void urine was tested by Chlamydiazyme enzyme immunoassay. Performance calculations were made against urethral culture and an expanded gold standard that included direct fluorescent staining of discordant specimens by Microtrak. RESULTS: Compared with urethral swab culture, the IMX Select test performed on urethral swabs and first void urine had sensitivities of 93.8% and 81.3%, and specificities of 95.2% and 95.7%, respectively. Calculations of sensitivity and specificity based on the expanded gold standard were: IMX Select on urethral swabs, 88.5% and 99.4%; IMX Select on first void urine, 80.8% and 100%; Chlamydiazyme after blocking confirmation on first void urine, 73.1% and 100%; culture on urethral swabs, 61.5% and 100%. CONCLUSION: This IMX Select Chlamydia enzyme immunoassay, which generates laboratory results within 2 hours, performed better than culture and an established enzyme immunoassay on male urethral swabs. The experimental first void urine protocol showed promise for noninvasive male testing.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cost effectiveness of azithromycin for Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Azithromycin, an approved single-dose therapy for cervical chlamydia infections, costs four times as much as doxycycline, the standard multidose theapy. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: This study examined whether azithromycin is cost effective for treating cervical chlamydia infections. STUDY DESIGN: Two diagnostic strategies were compared: 1) laboratory confirmation of chlamydia, and 2) presumptive diagnosis from the perspective of the healthcare system and the publicly funded clinic. RESULTS: From the healthcare perspective, the cost per case of pelvic inflammatory disease prevented with azithromycin ranges from a savings of $3,502 for laboratory confirmation to a cost of $792 for presumptive diagnosis. From the publicly funded clinic perspective, the cost per case of pelvic inflammatory disease prevented ranges from $709 for lab-confirmed diagnosis to $3,969 for presumptive treatment. CONCLUSION: For the healthcare system, azithromycin is a cost-effective alternative to doxycycline. However, the cost of azithromycin must decrease markedly for it to be less costly to the publicly funded clinic.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship of vaginal trichomoniasis and pelvic inflammatory disease among women colonized with Chlamydia trachomatis.

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted pathogen that has been linked to upper genital tract bacterial disease. Its association with upper tract chlamydial disease has not been assessed. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: This study was undertaken to determine whether women colonized with Chlamydia trachomatis who are also infected with Trichomonas vaginalis are at increased risk for having pelvic inflammatory disease. STUDY DESIGN: A nested case control methodology was used to compare Trichomonas vaginalis rates between women colonized with Chlamydia trachomatis who had pelvic inflammatory disease (n = 24) and those who were colonized but did not have pelvic inflammatory disease (n = 47). Factors that might be related to the development of upper tract disease (e.g., douching, other sexually transmitted diseases) and factors linked to colonization with Trichomonas vaginalis (e.g. race, use of oral contraceptives) were assessed. RESULTS: When exact logistic regression models were used and variables associated with pelvic inflammatory disease were considered, it was found that age (odds ratio = 0.73; P = .001) and Trichomonas vaginalis colonization (odds ratio = 4.72; P = .053) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study of women colonized with Chlamydia trachomatis, an association was found between co-infection with Trichomonas vaginalis and evidence of upper tract disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of DNA amplification methods for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in first-void urine from asymptomatic military recruits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of DNA amplification-based tests for the diagnosis of urethral chlamydia infection from the urine of asymptomatic young men. DESIGN: First-void urine was analyzed by two amplified DNA technologies, the ligase chain reaction (LCR), the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Specimens yielding discrepant results were subjected to retesting using either the original or a newly processed sample, and for evaluation of truly infected persons they were analyzed by the direct fluorescence antibody assay and by a second LCR directed against a segment of the gene encoding for the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis. SETTING: The military hospital in which military recruits underwent medical examination before departing for a United Nations mission. STUDY GROUP: Asymptomatic military recruits (705 young men) were screened between January and May 1994. In addition to providing urine specimens, the recruits completed questionnaires concerning previous genital infections and number of sexual partners. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of urethral chlamydia infection in the study group was 4.1% (29/705), as determined by confirmed results in all tests collectively. The performance of the DNA amplification methods was markedly better than that of the EIA antigen detection methods. Using an expanded gold standard, the sensitivity of the LCx assay was 93.1% (27/29) compared to 62.1% (18/29) by the PCR assay Amplicor and 37.9% (11/29) by EIA. Repeat testing after freezing and thawing increased the number of positive PCR results to equal the number of positive LCR results. There were three false-positive Amplicor results and no false-positive LCR results. CONCLUSIONS: The LCx assay performed better than the Amplicor assay and appears reliable for urine testing. The low sensitivity of the Amplicor assay requires further evaluation of possible inhibitors of PCR in fresh specimens. It was found that freezing and thawing the specimens before testing enhanced the performance of PCR.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by a ligase chain reaction amplification method.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The ligase chain reaction is an in vitro DNA amplification technique that exponentially amplifies selected DNA sequences. GOAL: To evaluate a ligase chain reaction assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis cryptic plasmid DNA (LCx Chlamydia) in patients routinely attending a sexually transmitted disease center in Italy. STUDY DESIGN: Urethral or cervical swabs were obtained from 501 consecutive patients (334 men and 167 women). The samples were assayed in parallel with LCx Chlamydia and conventional tissue culture; discordant results were further assayed by direct immunofluorescence and a ligase chain reaction with alternate primers. RESULTS: After resolution of discordant results, the LCx method showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%, 99.3%, 96.7%, and 100% in men; 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100% in women; and 100%, 99.5%, 97.1%, and 100% overall, respectively. By comparison, the sensitivity of tissue culture was 81.4% in men, 50% in women, and 77.6% overall. CONCLUSIONS: The automated LCx method is sensitive, fast, and accurate and represents a useful diagnostic tool for C. trachomatis infection, even in low and medium prevalence populations.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed1999

Stability study on specimens mailed to a state laboratory and tested with the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay for chlamydia.

BACKGROUND: Although specimen collection is acknowledged to be a critical factor in the testing of chlamydia, rarely do studies examine the effects of specimen transport on laboratory results. GOAL: To compare the results on specimens shipped in a controlled environment with duplicate specimens exposed to environmental conditions such as heat or extended time in transit. STUDY DESIGN: Duplicate specimens were collected from 1,017 women tested at South Carolina public health clinics. One specimen from each woman was shipped by courier and the other by U.S. mail. The results, swab collected first, method of transport, and temperature during shipment were compared for each set of specimens. Specimens were tested with the Gen-Probe PACE 2 test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Mailed specimens were exposed to longer transport times and elevated temperatures; despite this, 99% of the results using courier specimens agreed with the mailed specimen results. Eighty-eight women tested positive and 891 women tested negative for chlamydia on both specimens. When the 11 specimens with discrepant results were retested by polymerase chain reaction, 10 were positive for chlamydia, with 9 concurring with the mailed specimen results. Results of specimens in this study were not adversely affected by heat and extended transit times when transported by U.S. Mail.

Adult↗