RESPIRATORY CHLAMYDIAL INFECTIONS IN A HONG-KONG TEACHING HOSPITAL AND ASSOCIATION WITH CORONARY HEART-DISEASE

The microimmunofluorescence antibody technique was used to determine t he seroprevalence of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci from hospitalized patients in Hong Kong. Antibodies to C. pne umoniae were found in 54.8% of 157 patients hospitalized with respirat ory disease, in 71.1% of 83 patients with cardiac disease and in 31.2% of 93 patients without either respiratory or cardiac disease. Antibod ies to C. psittaci were found in 0.9% of the combined study groups. Th ere was serological evidence of C. pneumoniae being the responsible ag ent in 24.8% of the severe respiratory cases. A significant correlatio n between antibody prevalence and coronary heart disease was identifie d during the study.