Species specific chlamydiae antibodies in voluntary blood donors of Delhi
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Published on: July 14, 2023
G Satpathy1, A Sharma, P Vishalakshi
1Department of Microbiology, Dr R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Over half of healthy blood donors in Delhi showed antibodies to Chlamydia species, indicating widespread exposure. C. pneumoniae antibodies were most common, suggesting frequent infections in this population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chlamydia species are linked to various infections, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- Many Chlamydia infections are asymptomatic, making antibody presence in healthy individuals a marker of exposure.
- Understanding Chlamydia exposure in healthy populations is crucial for public health surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of species-specific Chlamydia antibodies in healthy blood donors from Delhi.
- To assess exposure levels to different Chlamydia species within a seemingly healthy population.
Main Methods:
- Microimmunofluorescence assay was used to screen sera from 844 voluntary blood donors.
- Specific antigens for Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars A-C, D-K, L1-L3), Chlamydia psittaci, and Chlamydia pneumoniae were employed.
- Antibody detection was performed to identify past or present Chlamydia infections.
Main Results:
- A significant 55.69% of blood donors tested positive for Chlamydia antibodies.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies were detected in 42.77% of donors, indicating high exposure.
- Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies were found in 12.5% of donors, with specific serovar prevalence noted.
Conclusions:
- More than half of the Delhi blood donor population has been exposed to Chlamydia species.
- Widespread C. pneumoniae infections, both apparent and inapparent, are suggested by the high antibody prevalence.
- Chlamydia antibody testing may have limited diagnostic utility in healthy individuals due to high background antibody levels.
Background & Objectives:
Different species of genus Chlamydia have been associated with ocular, genitourinary and respiratory infections, and coronary artery disease. Since the majority of these infections remain asymptomatic or subclinical, antibodies may be present in apparently healthy individuals, and the determination of species specific Chlamydia antibodies in a healthy population may reflect exposure. We therefore screened the sera of healthy blood donors for species specific Chlamydia antibodies by microimmunofluorescence assay.
Methods:
Sera of 844 voluntary blood donors from Delhi were screened by microimmunofluorescence assay using specific antigens of C. trachomatis (18 serovars divided in 3 pools of serotypes A-C, D-K and L1-L3), C. psittaci and C. pneumoniae for Chlamydia antibodies.
Results:
A total of 470 (55.69%) blood donors were found positive for Chlamydia antibodies. Of these, 361(42.77%) were positive for C. pneumoniae, 106 (12.5%) for C. trachomatis [of which 72 (8.5%) were against serotypes D-K and 34(4%) were against serotypes A-C]. There donors (0.3%) had antibodies to C. psittaci.
Interpretation & Conclusion:
The results suggested that more than half of the study population (55.69%) is exposed to one or other species of chlamydiae. Majority of the donors (44.7%) had C. pneumoniae antibodies, suggesting the presence of widespread apparent or inapparent C. pneumoniae infection. The findings also suggest that Chlamydia antibody testing for the diagnosis of chlamydial infections may not be helpful due to the presence of antibodies in a large proportion of healthy individuals.
