Value of papanicolaou smear in detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection

This study was undertaken to assess the value of Papanicolaou smear for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The study was both retrospective (groups I and II) and prospective (group III). Group I consisted of 41 smears with cytomorphological changes proposed by Gupta, Kiviat, or Shiina. Group II was a control group, consisting of 30 cytologically normal smears. All these smears were subjected to specific immunofluorescent (IF) staining under identical conditions to confirm the diagnosis. In group III, 40 consecutive duplicate cervical smears were collected from patients attending the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic. One smear was routinely examined, and the specific IF staining was done on the other smear. The results in all the three groups were analysed. It was concluded that Papanicolaou smear is not useful in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.     

Does infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and/or Helicobacter pylori increase the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules in humans?

Objective   To investigate if Chlamydia pneumoniae and/or Helicobacter pylori seropositivity is associated with elevated levels of soluble endothelial cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) as markers of atherosclerotic activity.
Methods   Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibodies to the two bacteria, soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and E-selectin were measured in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients ( n  = 193) and age- and sex-matched controls ( n  = 193). Two different serological methods were used for the detection of Chlamydia antibodies: Labsystems microimmunofluorescence to detect species-specific C. pneumoniae antibodies and Medac's recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect genus-specific lipopolysaccharide antibodies.
Results   The concentrations of sICAM-1 and E-selectin were higher in CHD patients with positive vs. negative Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide IgA ( P  = 0.044 for both). H. pylori antibodies alone did not predict raised levels of sCAMs, but in CHD patients sICAM-1 was increased with IgA seropositivity to both bacteria compared to double seronegativity ( P  = 0.034). Concentrations of sVCAM-1 were elevated in CHD patients with double IgA seropositivity compared to those with Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide IgA seropositivity alone ( P  = 0.018).
Conclusion   Our results may indicate that C. pneumoniae contributes to increased inflammation in CHD, and that this contribution is even more pronounced when present in combination with H. pylori IgA antibodies.     

Chlamydia trachomatis: time for screening?

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease in industrialised countries, particularly among young people. The consequences of chlamydial infection may involve urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, tubal factor infertility, epididymitis and prostatitis. In addition, chlamydial infection increases the risk of acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus and has been associated with cervical cancer. Although screening programmes exist in a number of countries, the continuously increasing prevalence of chlamydial infections demonstrates the necessity for health authorities to establish effective screening policies, and the importance of defining a comprehensive European screening policy is emerging.     

比较PCR酶免法与套式PCR法在不孕症中沙眼衣原体的临床检测

目的 比较PCR酶免法(PCR—ELISA)与套式PCR法(nPCR)法检测沙眼衣原体(CT)在不孕症宫颈分泌物中的临床意义。方法 应用PCR-ELISA法对185份宫颈分泌物进行CT检测，nPCR法对l12份宫颈分泌物进行CT检测，两种方法同时对38份宫颈分泌物进行检测，两种方法的检测结果进行对比分析。结果 PCR-ELISA法，CT阳性率为36．22％，(67／185)。nPCR法检到法CT阳性率为19.64％(22／112)两种方法同时检测的CT阳性率分别为34.21％及13．16％。PCR-ELISA与nPCR法比较差异有显著性(P＜0.05)。结论 PCR—ELISA法检测CT比nPCR法更敏感，特异，简单，并且没有EB污染等优点，结合临床治疗结果分析更适用于对长期慢性CT感染不孕症的诊断。     

Effectiveness of a Universally Offered Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening Intervention in the Pediatric Emergency Department

PurposeAdolescents represent more than half of the newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. annually. Emergency departments (EDs) may serve as an effective, nontraditional setting to screen for chlamydia/gonorrhea (CT/GC). The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a universally offered CT/GC screening program in two pediatric ED settings.MethodsThis was a prospective, delayed start pragmatic study conducted over 18 months in two EDs within the same academic institution among ED adolescents aged 14–21 years with any chief complaint. Using a tablet device, adolescents were confidentially informed of CT/GC screening recommendations and were offered screening. If patients agreed to CT/GC testing, a clinical decision support tool was triggered to inform the provider and order testing. The main and key secondary outcomes were the proportion of CT/GC testing and positive CT/GC test results in each respective ED.ResultsBoth EDs experienced modest but statistically significant increases in CT/GC testing post- versus pre-intervention (main: 11.5% vs. 7.9%; confidence interval [CI]: 2.9–4.2; p < .0001 and satellite: 3.8% vs. 2.6%; 95% CI: .7–1.7; p < .0001). Among those tested, the positivity rate at the main ED did not significantly change post- versus pre-intervention (24.1% vs. 23.2%; 95% CI: ?1.9 to 3.8; p = .71) but significantly decreased at the satellite ED (7.6% vs. 14.8%; 95% CI: ?12.2 to ?2.2; p = .01).ConclusionsA universally offered screening intervention increased the proportion of adolescents who were tested at both EDs and the detection rates for CT/GC at the main ED, but patient acceptance of screening was low.     

鹦鹉热衣原体肺炎患者临床特点分析

 目的 探讨分析鹦鹉热衣原体肺炎患者的临床表现及辅助检查结果特征,以提高对该病的认识。方法 回顾性分析某医院2019年6月- 2021年8月经宏基因组二代测序（mNGS）诊断鹦鹉热衣原体肺炎的9例患者临床资料。结果 9例患者中男性7例,女性2 例,包含1例妊娠36⁺²周孕妇;年龄25~70岁,中位年龄63岁;临床主要表现为高热（9例）、咳嗽（9例）、咳痰（7例）。白细胞计数正常8例,淋巴细胞计数降低9例,CRP升高9例,ESR升高9例,PCT正常4例,门冬氨酸氨基转移酶和丙氨酸氨基转移酶升高6例。9例患者胸部 CT均表现为斑片或斑片实变影。经血及肺泡灌洗液mNGS确诊后使用多西环素、莫西沙星、左氧氟沙星、阿奇霉素单药治疗方案,疗程14~21 d,均好转出院。结论 鹦鹉热衣原体肺炎临床表现多样、诊断困难,mNGS检测可以快速明确病原学诊断,有助于及时启动特异性抗感染治疗,可减少抗菌药物的使用,改善预后。     

性病高危人群中女性阴道口部位沙眼衣原体感染的检测

目的 :研究能否用阴道口部位标本代替宫颈标本检测沙眼衣原体 (CT)。方法 :分别用 PCR法和立明法 (Clearview)对 2 31例性病高危人群的宫颈拭子、阴道口拭子及尿液标本进行检测。结果 :以6种检测方法中任何 2种结果同时阳性为金标准 ,宫颈拭子、阴道口拭子及尿液 3种标本 PCR法的敏感性和特异性分别是 86 .8%和 99.4 8% ,84 .2 %和 10 0 % ,6 3.2 %和 99.4 8% ;立明法的敏感性和特异性分别是 81.6 %和 10 0 % ,4 7.4 %和 10 0 % ,10 .5 %和 10 0 %。结论 :对女性 CT检测可以用阴道口拭子代替其它部位标本进行 PCR检测     

沙眼衣原体套式（Nested）PCR检测研究

本文报告沙眼衣原体（ＣＴ）的套式（Ｎｅｓｔｅｄ）ＰＣＲ检测方法，本方法ＣＴ隐匿性质粒为靶基因，外套引物采用国外学者所报告灵敏度和特异性较高的序列，内套引物自行设计，经方法学考核表明本法灵敏度和特异性极高。１４６例临检标本套式ＣＴ，ＰＣＲ阳性检出率为３６．３％而市售ＰＣＲ试剂盒（其引物序列与本文外套引物相同）阳性检出率仅为４．１％，前者明显高于后者（Ｐ〈０．０１）。     

Transmission of antibodies to Chlamydia Psittaci and Coxiella Burnetii through eggs and “crop milk” in pigeons

Young semi-domesticated pigeons captured or hatched from eggs gathered in Bratislava during 1989–1991 were examined for complement fixing antibodies to Chlamydia psittaci and agglutinating antibodies to Coxiella burnetii. Antibodies to Ch. psittaci were present in 76% of birds younger than 24 h, in 47.7% between 1 and 10 days of age and in 12% of nestlings over 10 days old. Antibodies to Ch. psittaci were also detected in crop milk of 4.1% of 1 to 10 day old birds and in 4.5% of specimens older than 10 days. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not found in juvenile birds under 24 h old, but antibodies against this agent were present in 16.4% birds between 1 and 10 days old and in 18% over 10 days old. Antibodies to C. burnetii were also detected in crop milk collected from crops of 2% of the young birds between 1 and 10 days.