How useful is the Chlamydia micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) test for the gynaecologist?

Three patients with a chlamydial respiratory tract infection showed signifi cant titre rises for the three chlamydial micro-immunofluorescence tests, p erformed with Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. psittaci and C. trachomatis. Such cr oss-reactions procure an inaccurate discrimination between the various Chla mydia species which remains speculative anyhow when only a positive serolog ical profile against one chlamydial subspecies is performed. We consider th at using the serologic assay as proof for past sexually transmitted C. trac homatis infection falls outside the limits of prudent interpretation of lab oratory tests. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.