CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS ANTIBODIES IN SERUM AND EJACULATE OF MALE-PATIENTS WITHOUT ACUTE URETHRITIS

In a prospective study, the prevalence of specific antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis in serum and seminal plasma evaluated by a genus specific immunofluorescence test in 101 men without acute urethritis was investigated, The results were compared to the clinical diagnosis, cell culture of urethral swabs, demonstration of DNA particles by Pol ymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the ejaculate and signs of genital inf lammation by counting peroxidase-positive leukocytes and elastase leve l in semen, The objective was to evaluate the significance of chlamydi al antibodies in genital infection, Serum specific IgG and IgA antibod ies were found in 26 % and 15 %, respectively ; seminal IgG and IgA an tibodies were present in 6 % and 7 %, respectively. Serum specific ant ibodies were not associated with the clinical diagnosis of infection n or with C. trachomatis cell culture, PCR findings, peroxidase positive leukocytes or PMN-elastase level. It is concluded that serum antibodi es are not useful in detecting a chlamydial infection, Seminal plasma antibodies were not correlated with the clinical diagnosis of infectio n, positive cell culture, PMN-elastase levels and leukocytes in semen. However, a significant correlation was found for positive PCR in the ejaculate (p < 0.001 for IgG, p < 0.05 for IgA, p < 0.001 when combine d). Though seminal antibodies may be more useful in detecting ascended or occult chlamydial infection, their significance remains unclear, t heir absence does not exclude chlamydial infection. In particular, the biological significance of locally derived IgA needs further evaluati on