Application of blood-based polymerase chain reaction for detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in acute respiratory tract infections

The aim of this study was to investigate whether blood-based polymerase cha in reaction could serve as a diagnostic tool to identify individuals with a cute respiratory Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. Respiratory specimens and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 58 patients were analyzed using neste d polymerase chain reaction and cell culture. Fifteen patients were polymer ase chain reaction-positive for Chlamydia pneumoniae. Nine patients were po sitive in only the respiratory specimen; two in both the respiratory and bl ood sample (time intervals between onset of symptoms and sample collection, 3-10 days and 3-4 weeks, respectively); and four in only the blood sample. Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell s does not seem to be a suitable marker for acute respiratory Chlamydia pne umoniae infection.