[Isolation and identification of Chlamydia spp. from effusion of otitis media]

Three chlamydial strains isolated from patients of otitis media with effusion were studied by comparing reactivity to monoclonal antibody (MAb) and polyclonal antibody (PAb) produced against one clinical isolate (named Mk), which was first isolated by Dr Mukai (Mukai Microbiological Research Laboratory, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa prefecture). Commercially supplied antibody (Microtrak (Syva), Culture-set (Ortho diagnostic system)) was also used. To isolate the Chlamydia spp, the yolk sacs of eggs were immediately inoculated with sample effusions (0.2 to 0.4 ml per sac) as soon as the samples were received. The eggs were observed every day for a period of 12 days thereafter for signs of life or death. One to two blind passages were first done in the eggs and then in HeLa 229 cells. The reactivity was examined by both micro-IF tests, among various strains of Chlamydia (C. trachomatis: L2. C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci: Budgerigar, Izawa, Meningopneumonitis (MP)) and by immunoblot analysis. Chlamydia spp were isolated in two of the twenty-nine sample effusions (6.9%). These isolates were then tested for reactivity to MAb and PAb. It was found that MAb reacted with MP and Mk, but not with Budgerigar, Izawa and C. pneumoniae. The antibody of Culture-set reacted with C. trachomatis C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci. No reactivity was observed in Mk by MicroTrak. Immunoblot analysis revealed that MAb reacted with about 95 KDa protein of Mk, the two clinically isolated Chlamydia spp and MP. By using PAb from rabbits, similar blotting patterns were observed in Mk, the clinical isolates and MP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)