EXPERIENCE OBTAINED FROM MICROBIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTIONS

Various methods for detection of Chlamydia infections were tested. Culturing with subsequent immunofluorescence staining by monoclonal antibodies proved to be the most sensitive approach. Culturing and staining according Machiavelli proved to be less sensitive but of high specificity. Direct detection of antigen by means of the immunofluorescence method gave a sensitivity of 77 percent and specificity of 92 percent. The ELISA method was of insufficient sensitivity for antigen detection. Detection of serum antibodies proved to be useful as a supporting method in the diagnosis of complicated infections. It was not suitable for diagnosis of uncomplicated infections, since in such cases antibody titres quite often were not increased at all.