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Chlamydial infection in infants
1Department of Experimental Surgery and Research, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
Insights
Chlamydia trachomatis infection was investigated in infants with recurrent lower respiratory tract disease. The study found evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis in a significant portion of these infants, suggesting its role in infant respiratory illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Recurrent lower respiratory tract disease in infants can have various causes.
- Chlamydia trachomatis is a known pathogen that can affect the respiratory system in neonates and infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infants hospitalized with recurrent lower respiratory tract disease.
- To determine the association between Chlamydia trachomatis detection and specific clinical presentations or antibody responses.
Main Methods:
- Conjunctival and nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 51 infants (1 month-1 year old) with recurrent lower respiratory tract disease.
- Chlamydia trachomatis antigen was detected using direct fluorescence testing.
- Serum anti-chlamydial IgM antibodies were measured by enzyme immunoassay.
Main Results:
- Chlamydia trachomatis antigen was detected in 20 out of 51 infants.
- Anti-chlamydial IgM antibodies were found in 15 infants.
- Of the 20 antigen-positive infants, 16 had serum samples, and 12 of these showed IgM antibodies. Three antigen-negative infants also had antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Chlamydia trachomatis is a potential causative agent in infants presenting with recurrent lower respiratory tract disease.
- The presence of anti-chlamydial antibodies, regardless of antigen detection, suggests a significant role for C. trachomatis in pneumoniae.
- Infants with only antigen detection may represent superficial colonization or asymptomatic carriage.
Abstract:
Conjunctival and nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 51 infants aged 1 month-1 year, who have been hospitalized for lower respiratory tract disease which had begun on the 4-12th week of life and has shown recurrences since then. Acute period blood samples were available from 42 of these children. Chlamydia trachomatis antigen was searched for in the conjunctival and nasopharyngeal specimens by a direct fluorescence test (MikroTrak, Syva Co.), and serum anti-chlamydial IgM antibodies were detected by enzyme immunoassay (Sero ELISA Chlamydia, Savyon Diagnostics). Chlamydia trachomatis was detected from at least one site in 20 children, and 15 children were positive for anti-chlamydial IgM antibodies. Serum samples were available in 16 of 20 children who were positive for C. trachomatis antigens, and 12 had IgM antibodies. Three infants who were antigen negative, also had anti-chlamydial antibodies. Whether antigen positive or not, all patients with antichlamydial antibodies were considered to have pneumoniae due to C. trachomatis, and those who had only antigens without any antibodies, to be superficially infected and carry the organism symptomatically or asymptomatically.