DETECTION OF INFECTIONS OF THE EYE WITH CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS BY THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic feasibility of the po lymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of infections with Chlamyd ia trachomatis in eye swabs from patients with conjunctivitis, and to establish the basic technique of the PCR for epidemiological survey. T he results of the PCR were compared with the Mikro Trak immunofluoresc ence assay (IFA). From 49 specimens of patients with conjunctivitis, 3 1 were found positive by PCR (63%) and 23 by IFA (47%). On the other h and, in 10 normal eye specimens and 10 non-Chlamydia trachoma conjunct ivitis specimens no Chlamydia trachomatis was detected.