Comparison Between Different Methods In the Diagnosis Of Respiratory Tract Infections Associated With Chlamydia Pneumoniae

Abstract

C.pneumoniae is a bacterium involved in infections of the upper airway as well as in lower respiratory tract diseases. Pneumonia and bronchitis are the most frequently recognized illnesses associated with this organism (Grayston, 1992).

C.pneumoniae has also a role in several chronic diseases, among which are coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, as well as vasculitis (Mazzoli et al., 1998).

It has been reported that infections from this bacterium are prevalent worldwide and that the proportion of the population having the antibody is high (Dake et al., 1998). This prevalence varies in different studies depending on the epidemiological situation and the laboratory techniques used (Falck et al., 1994)

Infections with C.pneumoniae are difficult to diagnose, and routine diagnostic service for this pathogen is not currently available in most developing and some developed countries like the U.K. (Bourke and Lightfoot, 1995). Diagnostic differences between the various techniques are not fully resolved and it is difficult to define a perfect gold standard (Gaydos eta/., 1994