[Direct immunofluorescence technique in the diagnosis of Chlamydia nongonococcal urethritis]

We evaluated the direct immunofluorescence technique in the diagnosis of nongonococcal urethritis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Urethral swabs taken from 210 patients with urethritis were investigated by this method. The results were compared with the results obtained from the same patients by conventional method - cell culture. Of 210 patients with nongonococcal urethritis Chlamydia trachomatis was established in 114 (54.3%) cases by cell culture method and in 113 (53.8%) by direct imunofluorescence method. Compatibile results were found in 195 (92.8%) of cases. A good coorelation (Rxy = = 0.86) between the results obtained by the examined method and the referentain vas found. The direct immunofluorescence technique is a specific and sensitive method in the diagnosis of chlamydia urethritis. The direct immunofluorescence technique is an alternative diagnostic method of the harder and lengthy cell procedure. It is very important in routine clinical practice.