Immuno-dot blot as a rapid diagnostic method for detection of chlamydial infection in koalas (Phasolarctos cinereus)

The sensitivity and specificity of an immunoscreening test for anti-chlamydial antibodies in koala (Phasolarctos cinereus) serum were determined after the adsorption of non-specific antibodies. The results of the test were compared with complement fixation tests, tissue culture, gene probe analysis and dot blot immunoscreening for host-borne chlamydial antigen. The immunoscreening test was the most sensitive test for the identification of chlamydial infection in koala serum samples, furthermore it was rapid, taking approximately 16 hours to complete, and inexpensive. However, for the assay of swab material from koalas, gene probe analysis remains the most sensitive method of detection of chlamydiae.