Comparison of two microimmunofluorescence tests for detecting antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae

Two microimmunofluorescence (MIF) tests were compared for detection of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae: the microimmunofluorescence of Washington University and the microimmunofluorescence of Chlamydia Serofia. Concordant positive results at the same dilution were observed for IgG in 37.33% of sera tested and concordant negative results were found in 44%. Variations of one fold dilution were observed in 36 sera. Extensive variations (2-3 two-fold dilutions) in the numeric titer values were observed in 20 serum samples with titers of antibody generally higher in the Chlamydia Serofia MIF than in the Washington MIF, resulting in a diagnosis of current infection in three patients. IgM were found with both methods only in one patient. The discrepancies observed may be due to several factors including the different TWAR strain used as antigen in the two tests and the dilution of the FITC-labelled conjugated anti-human IgG. We think that MIF serology may also be influenced by the type of response of the host that may depend on the "local strain" of C. pneumoniae that may express different antigens or in different amounts in comparison with the strains used by the commercial kit.