Human Serology in Chlamydia trachomatis Infection with Microimmunofluorescence

Abstract

The applicability of a microimmunofluorescence technique with TRIC-LGV antigens (i.e., antigens from microorganisms causing trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis and lymphogranuloma venereum) for antibody determination in human serum was investigated. One or more samples of serum from 124 patients who were from various areas of the world and from whom a TRIC-LGV organism had been isolated were tested. (All isolates had been typed and included all presently recognized immunotypes except type A.) Of the patients tested, 94% had a titer of antibody of ⩾1:8 against at least one of the 13 antigens used, always including the type isolated. Seventy-nine percent of sera showed a type-specific antibody response, while 15% had a pattern of multiple antibody response that precluded a specific type diagnosis. Among the 6% of patients without evident antibody, all but one were males with mild urethritis. Patients who had classical LGV infection with buboes had antibody to more than one type, often in very high titer. The possibility of rapid disappearance of microimmunofluorescent antibody after cessation of TRIC infection was demonstrated.