The Laboratory Diagnosis of <i>Chlamydia</i> Infections

Bacteria of the genus Chlamydia belong to order Chlamydiales, within family Chlamydiaceae. These intracellular parasites have a different biphasic reproductive cycle than other bacteria. The important Chlamydiaceae are trachomatis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and psittaci. trachomatis Clamydophila primary human pathogens. is transmitted by sexual contact. It causative agent LGV (lymphogranuloma venoreum) ocular trachoma in humans. causes bronchitis, atypical pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, inflammatory atherosclerosis. psittaci psittacosis (pneumonia). primarily infection birds domestic animals, sometimes laboratory diagnosis based on cytological examination (Giemsa), antigen detection (with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay direct immunofluorescence staining), nucleic acid-based tests (nucleic acid probe amplification tests—NAAT), cell culture (in vivo vitro), antibodies (especially microimmunofluorescence—MIF enzyme immunoassay—EIA, for LGV). most specific test culture, sensitive test. NAAT MIF successful C. infections. usually made serological testing, species-specific testing should be performed confirm.