Identification of novel markers for uncomplicated lower genital tract infections and upper genital tract pathology due to Chlamydia trachomatis

Title: Identification of novel markers for uncomplicated lower genital tract infections and upper genital tract pathology due to Chlamydia trachomatis
Author/Creator: Collet, T | Macnaughton, T | Walsh, T | Debattista, J | Timms, Peter
Description: Background: Untreated Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women can result in disease sequelae such as salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ultimately culminating in tubal occlusion and infertility. Whilst nucleic acid amplification tests can effectively diagnose uncomplicated lower genital tract (LGT) infections, they are not suitable for diagnosing upper genital tract (UGT) pathological sequelae. As a consequence, this study aimed to identify serological markers that can, with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, discriminate between LGT infections and UGT pathology. Methods: Plasma was collected from 73 women with a history of LGT infection, UGT pathology due to C. trachomatis, or no serological evidence of C. trachomatis infection. Western blotting was used to analyze antibody reactivity against extracted chlamydial proteins. Sensitivity and specificity of differential markers were also calculated. Results: Four antigens (CT157, CT423, CT727 and CT396) were identified and found to be capable of discriminating between the infection and disease sequelae state. Sensitivity and specificity calculations showed that our assay for diagnosing LGT infection had a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 76%, whilst the assay for identifying UGT pathology demonstrated 80% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Conclusions: The use of these assays could potentially facilitate earlier diagnoses in women suffering UGT pathology due to C. trachomatis.
Relation: International Journal of Infectious Diseases / Vol. 15, No. 4, pp.e257-e266
Relation: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2010.12.005
Year: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Subject: FoR 1108 (Medical Microbiology) | Chlamydia trachomatis | pelvic inflammatory disease | aerology | aensitivity | apecificity | antigen

Resource Type: Journal Article
Identifier: ISSN: 1201-9712
Rights: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. The accepted manuscript is reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. The definitive version is available from http://www.elsevier.com/journals/
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