DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS ANTIBODIES BY 2 NOVEL TESTS - RELISA AND PEPTIDE EIA

The performance of 2 newly developed enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) intend ed for the routine serological diagnosis of chlamydial infections was evaluated. rELISA is based on a recombinant lipopolysaccharide antigen which detects chlamydia genus-specific antibodies, and Chlamydia trac homatis EIA is based on a peptide derived from major outer membrane pr otein and is therefore species-specific. Both tests distinguished pati ents with tubal factor infertility (TFI) or pelvic inflammatory diseas e (PID) from the controls. The prevalence of IgA antibodies was higher for the PID patients than for the TFI patients; the finding indicates a more active state of infections for the PID patients. Furthermore, C. trachomatis EIA detected more IgG antibodies in the Tm patients tha n in patients with non-tubal factor infertility. In conclusion, rELISA detected chlamydial antibodies in general, and C. trachomatis EIA det ected species-specific antibodies. These EIA tests may be useful in th e serodiagnosis of chlamydial infection.