[Immunofluorescence detection in Chlamydia trachomatis in cervical smears using monoclonal antibodies]

The early detection of chlamydial infections is very important because they may cause cervicitis, endometritis and salpingitis and because of that reason for sterility in women. In routine cervical smears the morphologic picture is aspecific. One of the most specific methods for identification of Chlamydia trachomatis is the direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies (DIF). 100 women of age 18 - 45 years are examined with DIF test produced by Orion Diagnostica. In the cytological smears of 15 women morphological signs, inclusion and vacuolization, suspicious of Chlamydia trachomatis infection were seen. Using DIF, positive reactions have been found in 17 women. A conclusion for the high specificity of DIF with monoclonal antibodies is made.