Detection Of Chlamydia Pneumoniae Antigen In Respiratory Tract Infections By Direct Immunofluorescence

Abstract

SUMMARY Chlamydia pneumoniae has been shown to be ar important cause of respiratory tract infections including pharyngitis, sinusitis, about 5% of bronchitis and 10-15% of community acquired pneumonia. C. pneumoniae infection bas also been associated with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COFD) and lung cancer, as well as diseases of the 4 cardiovascular system. Thc present study aimed to detect C. pneumoniae antigen 1n patients with acute respiratory tract infections by direct immunofluorescence. The study showed that there Is a significant high prevalence of C. pneumoniae infection (75.93%), and is highest among patients with acute infective exacerbation of bronchial asthma (100%), then among patients with acute infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (81.82%), then in patients with acute bronchopneumonia (77.8%), then in patients with acute lung abscess (75%), then in patients with acute infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis (70%) and lowest among patients with acute bronchitis (40%).