Chlamydia trachomatis Antibodies, IgA
Code:18002
| Includes | Chlamydia trachomatis IgA |
|---|
Analysis details
Methodology
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Expected Turnaround Time
1–2 days
Special Instructions
- Avoid smoking for at least 30 minutes before the specimen is collected.
How to use
Chlamydia trachomatis Antibodies, IgA (Anti‑Chlamydia trachomatis IgA) is used to gauge the activity and stage of chlamydial infection and to support decisions about initiating antimicrobial therapy. Serial testing can assist in evaluating response to antibiotics and guiding whether treatment should be continued, discontinued, or modified. In pregnancy, the assay may contribute to assessing the potential for perinatal transmission when maternal genital tract inflammation is present. Results should be correlated with the clinical presentation and nucleic acid amplification testing when available.
Limitations
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular organism with a two‑stage developmental cycle, alternating between extracellular elementary bodies (relatively antibiotic‑insensitive) and intracellular reticulate bodies (antibiotic‑susceptible). It infects mucosal epithelium of the urogenital tract, rectum, oropharynx, and conjunctiva, and can be passed peripartum, causing neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia. The humoral response includes IgM, IgA, and IgG, which align with different phases of infection. IgA serves as a marker of acute mucosal infection or reactivation; it generally appears 10–15 days after a primary infection, then declines, but may remain elevated with persistent or chronic infection. In women, ascending infection can result in salpingitis, tubal occlusion, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy; in men, urethritis and epididymitis are typical presentations. Serologic findings should be integrated with clinical assessment and direct detection methods.
| Reference interval | — |
|---|---|
| Indications | Suspected urogenital chlamydial infection, including cervicitis or urethritis, Infertility workup as part of the diagnostic evaluation, Assessment of neonatal conjunctivitis or pneumonia, Staging of chlamydial infection, Monitoring the response to antibiotic therapy, Genital or urinary tract inflammation during pregnancy |
Possible Causes of Abnormal Results
Decreased levels
- early infection (<2 weeks from onset)
Specimen Requirements
| Specimen | Whole blood |
|---|---|
| Container | Lavender Top (K3 EDTA) |
| Volume | 1 mL (min 0.5 mL) |
| Storage Instructions | Refrigerated, Frozen |
References
Black C.M. Current methods of laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections // Clin. Microbiol. Rev. – 1997. – № 10. – стр. 160-184.
Black C.M. Serological tests for Chlamydia trachomatis infections (Author’s Reply) // Clin. Microbiol. Rev. – 1998. – № 11. – P. 228-229.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for the prevention and management of Chlamydia trachomatis infections // Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. – 1993. – № 42. – RR-12. – P. 1–39.
Ishi K., Shimota H., Kawashima T., Kawahata S., Kubota T., Takada M. Significance of determination of the blood antibody level in Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the uterine cervix // Rinsho Byori. – 1991. – № 39. – P. 1215-1219.
Numazaki K. Serological tests for Chlamydia trachomatis infections (Letter to the Editor) // Clin. Microbiol. Rev. – 1998. – № 11. – P. 228.
Takaba H., Nakano Y., Miyake K. Studies on detection of serum IgA and IgG antibodies specific for Chlamydia trachomatis in latent infections in males // Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. – 1991. – № 82. – P. 1084-1090.
Workowski K.A., Lampe M.F., Wong K.G., Watts M.B., Stamm W.E. Long-term eradication of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection after antimicrobial therapy. Evidence against persistent infection // JAMA. – 1993. – № 270. – P. 2071–2075.