Abstract
Determination of Chlamydia trachomatis specific antibodies in serum and tears, isolation of C. trachomatis in cell culture and C. trachomatis antigen detection by direct immunofluorescence test were evaluated for the laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in 30 patients with chronic conjunctivitis. C. trachomatis specific secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) was detected in the tears of all 8 patients with a positive result in culture and the direct immunofluorescence test. In 4 additional patients, the s-IgA assay of tears was also positive. A presumptive clinical diagnosis of Chlamydia conjunctivitis was correlated with the presence of s-IgA in tears. S-IgA was not detected in the serum of any of the patients, indicating that s-IgA is locally produced and not transudated from the serum. For the diagnosis of chronic Chlamydia conjunctivitis, we recommend the determination of s-IgA in tears in addition to a test for Chlamydia detection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agtmaal EJ van, Haeringen NJ van, Bloem MW, Schreurs WPH, Saowakontha S (1987) Recovery of protein from tears stored in cellulose sponges. Curr Eye Res 6:585–589
Bialasiewics AA, Jahn GJ (1986) Epidemiology of chlamydial eye diseases in a mixed rural/urban population of West Germany. Ophthalmology 93:757–762
Bialasiewics AA, Jahn GJ (1987) Evaluation of diagnostic tools for adult chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology 94:532–537
Coppens I, Abu El-Asrar AM, Maudgal PC, Missotten L (1988) Incidence and clinical presentation of chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis. Intern Ophthalmol 12:201–205
Cui ZD, LaScolea LJ Jr, FisherJ, Ogra PL (1989) Immunoprophylaxis of Chlamydia trachomatis lymphogranuloma venereum pneumonitis in mice in oral immunization. Infect Immun 57:739–744
Darougar S (1985) The Immoral immune response to chlamydial infection in humans. Rev Infect Dis 7:726–730
Ehgartner EM, Vidic B, Auerbach B, Fellinger C, Friesz HG (1989) Zur Diagnostik von Okulaeren Chlamydieninfektionen. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 194:156–160
Fox PD, Khaw PT, McBride BW, McGill JI, Ward KA (1986) Tear and serum antibody levels in ocular herpetic infection: diagnostic precision of secretory IgA. Br J Ophthalmol 70:584–588
Franklin RM, Remus LE (1984) Conjunctival-associated lymphoid tissue; evidence for a role in the secretory immune system. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 22:181–187
Hanna L, Jawetz E, Briones OC, et al (1973) Antibodies to TRIC agents in tears and serum of naturally infected humans. J Infect Dis 127:95–98
Insler MS, Anderson AB, Murray M (1987) Latent oculogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. Ophthalmology 94:27–29
Mabey DCW, Ward ME (1986) Serum and secretory antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis in a community with endemic trachoma. In: Chlamydial infections. Oriel D, Ridgway GH, Schachter J, Taylor Robinson D, Ward M (eds) Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 149–153
Ossewaarde JM, Manten JW, Hooft HH, Hekker AC (1989) An enzyme immunoassay to detect specific antibodies to protein and lipopolysaccharide antigens of Chlamydia trachomatis. J Immunol Methods 123:293–298
Ronnerstam R, Persson K, Hansson H, Renmark K (1985) Prevalence of chlamydial eye infection in patients attending an eye clinic, a VD clinic and in healthy persons. Br J Ophthalmol 69:385–388
Russell MW, Mestecky J (1988) Induction of the mucosal immune response. Rev Infect Dis 10: S440-S446
Talmaga DW, La Rosa FG (1988) Specificity, structure and genetics of antibodies. In: Sauter et al. (eds) Immunological diseases, Vol. I, Little, Brown, Boston, pp 39–47
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: J.M. Ossewaarde
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Buisman, N.J.F., Ossewaarde, J.M., Rieffe, M. et al. Chlamydia keratoconjunctivitis determination of Chlamydia trachomatis specific secretory immunoglobulin A in tears by enzyme immunoassay. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 230, 411–415 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175924
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175924