Detection of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies in patients with uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis infection: a comparison between enzyme linked immunofluorescent assay and isolation in cell culture.

The diagnostic value of serum IgG, IgM and IgA in patients with uncomplicated urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection was compared with isolation in cell culture. C. trachomatis specific antibodies were determined with an enzyme linked immunofluorescent assay using elementary bodies from C. trachomatis serotypes E,F,H,I,J and LGV2 as antigens. At least two sera from each patient were tested and cultures were also established on the same day. Excluding the IgM titres in men, significantly more IgG, IgA and IgM and combinations of these antibodies were observed in culture positive patients. The sensitivity with which IgG titres in men or IgG and/or IgM titres in men and women could be determined, was significantly lower using C. trachomatis LGV2 as the only antigen than when all 6 antigens were used. The presence of 10 or more leucocytes in the urine sediment of men correlated positively with an IgG or an IgG and/or IgM titre.