Seroprevalence of chlamydia pneumoniae infections among adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases by elisa and immunofluorescence

To evaluate the seroprevalence of C.pneumoniae antibodies and its relation to the possible association of acute and chronic infection. Material / Methods: 50 adults with COPD were tested for serum C. pneumoniae antibodies using the IIFT test and ELISA during their hospitalization. Serological diagnosis of acute and chronic C. pneumoniae infection was determined and sensitivities, specificities and predictive values of both methods were evaluated Results: 46 patients (92%) had serological evidence of C. pneumoniae infection. Sensitivity and negative predictive value of ELISA for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection was low when IIFT was used as the gold standard method. Chronic C.pneumoniae infection was more common in COPD adult patients. Conclusion: C. pneumoniae infection occurs frequently in patients with COPD. Immunofluorescence test (IIFT/MIF) is the preferred method for monitoring the presence of antibody to this organism. The possible role of chronic C. pneumoniae infection in COPD progression needs further investigation