Chlamydia trachomatis Antibodies, IgA
Code:18004
| Includes | Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies, IgA |
|---|
Analysis details
Methodology
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Expected Turnaround Time
1–2 days
Special Instructions
- Do not smoke for at least 30 minutes before the blood draw.
How to use
Chlamydia trachomatis Antibodies, IgA is used to help stage chlamydial infection, guide decisions about initiating antibacterial therapy, and track response to treatment over time. The assay, also referred to as anti-Chlamydia trachomatis IgA serology, may be applied in pregnancy to gauge potential neonatal risk when the mother has inflammatory disease of the genital or urinary tract. When combined with history, examination, and direct detection methods, IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis contribute to clarifying recent mucosal involvement and to assessing changes following antibiotic therapy.
Limitations
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that targets columnar epithelial cells at the endocervix, urethra, rectum, oropharynx, conjunctiva, and the respiratory tract in early life. Its biphasic cycle alternates between an extracellular elementary body and an intracellular replicative reticulate body, a strategy that contributes to persistent and chronic infection. The humoral response comprises IgM, IgA, and IgG, which tend to align with different phases of disease activity. Serum IgA indicates an active mucosal immune response. It typically becomes detectable 10–15 days after primary infection, wanes with time, and may remain elevated in chronic or reactivated disease. In women, persistent endocervical infection can ascend to the endometrium and fallopian tubes, leading to salpingitis, tubal obstruction, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. In men, urethritis and epididymitis are frequent presentations. Transmission at delivery can result in neonatal conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
| Reference interval | — |
|---|---|
| Indications | Clinical suspicion of urogenital chlamydial disease, including cervicitis or urethritis, Infertility evaluation in conjunction with other diagnostic studies, Assessment of neonates with conjunctivitis or pneumonia, Clarification of the stage or phase of chlamydial infection, Monitoring serologic changes during or after antibiotic therapy, Pregnancy accompanied by inflammatory disorders of the genital or urinary tract to assess neonatal risk |
Possible Causes of Abnormal Results
Decreased levels
- early infection (<2 weeks from onset)
Specimen Requirements
| Specimen | Urine |
|---|---|
| Container | Urine PCR Collection Tube |
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.