Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis-specific antibodies in human sera by recombinant major outer-membrane protein polyantigens

This study was performed to generate and evaluate recombinant antigens for use in a species-specific Chlamydia tr trachomatis immunoassay: In a molecu lar genetic approach, fragments of the C. trachomatis major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) were produced as fusion proteins to create three different c onstructs encompassing the variable domains I, II and TV of selected C, tra chomatis serovars, The recombinant MOMP polyantigens were affinity-purified and used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody detection was e valuated with 103 patient sera and the results were compared with titres ob tained in the micro-immunofluorescence test. The results showed that the ge nerated MOMP polyantigens detected the presence of C. trachomatis-specific human antibodies with little cross-reaction to C, pneumoniae-specific antib odies. When compared to the micro-immunofluorescence assay the MOMP polyant igens detected the presence of anti-C, trachomatis IgG antibodies with a se nsitivity of 80% and a specificity of 91%.