COMPARISON OF THROAT SWABS WITH SPUTUM SPECIMENS FOR THE DETECTION OFCHLAMYDIA-PNEUMONIAE ANTIGEN BY DIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

Aim-To compare throat swabs with sputum specimens for Chlamydia pneumo niae antigen detection. Methods-During a one year period, sputum and t hroat swabs from 50 patients over 15 years of age with acute or persis ting lower respiratory tract infection were examined for C pneumoniae antigen by direct immunofluorescence. Results-C pneumoniae antigen was detected in 18/50 patients (36.0%) from sputum, throat swab, or both. Paired sputum and throat swabs were received from 35/50 patients (70. 0%). C pneumoniae antigen was detected in either or both specimens fro m 14/35 patients (40.0%). Of the 14 positive patients, both specimens were positive in nine (64.3%), throat swab only in four (28.6%), and s putum only in one (7.1%). Of the remaining 15 patients from whom only a single specimen was sent, a further three of eight throat swabs and one of seven sputum specimens were positive. There was no statisticall y significant difference between the results obtained from the two typ es of specimen. Conclusions-Throat swabs may be as good as sputum for the detection of C pneumoniae antigen.