Antibodies to chlamydia lgA, Chlamydia tr. IgA, quantitative- allows you to determine the presence of IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, which indicates a current acute or chronic infection.
Chlamydia trachomatis- This is a type of chlamydia, which is the causative agent of one of the most common diseases - chlamydia.
Chlamydia- a bacterial infectious disease of a systemic nature, with a predominantly subacute or chronic course. Characterized by damage to the epithelium of the mucous membranes (genital organs, eyes, respiratory system organs).
The infection is transmitted through sexual contact and household contact. The risk group consists of people who practice promiscuity and family members (especially children) infected with chlamydia. The sizes of elementary bodies of C. trachomatis are very small - 0.2–0.4 µm. This causes incomplete protection of sexual partners by mechanical means of contraception.
Chlamydia trachomatis exists in two forms: infectious (elementary body) - metabolically weakly active, adapted to exist in the extracellular environment, and vegetative (reticular body) - intracellular form, metabolically active, formed during the reproduction of chlamydia. As a result of the division of reticular bodies inside the cytoplasmic vacuole and their transformation into elementary bodies, up to 1000 new elementary bodies are formed. The development cycle usually ends with the death of the epithelial cell and the release of new elementary bodies from it.
At certain conditions(features of immunity, inadequate antibiotic therapy) there is a delay in the maturation of reticular bodies and their transformation into elementary bodies, which leads to a decrease in the expression of the main antigens of Chlamydia trachomatis, a decrease in the immune response and a change in sensitivity to antibiotics. A persistent infection occurs. Reactivation of a persistent infection can occur under the influence of changes in immune or hormonal status, trauma, surgery, or stress.
Intoxication is not typical for chlamydial infection. The outcome of the inflammatory process in chlamydia is thickening of the affected mucous membrane, metaplasia of epithelial cells into stratified squamous epithelium, followed by the proliferation of scar connective tissue. The latter is believed to be one of the main causes of secondary infertility in men and women as a result of the infectious process of chlamydial etiology.
The systemic nature of the lesions (including Reiter's syndrome) is autoimmune in nature and is not associated with bacteremia. The clinical picture of infection, in most cases, is not specific. Manifest forms of chlamydia in men can occur in the form of urethritis, proctitis, conjunctivitis, and pharyngitis. In women - urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, conjunctivitis, lymphogranuloma venereum. In children - conjunctivitis, pneumonia, otitis media, bronchiolitis.
The greatest diagnostic difficulties are presented by asymptomatic forms. Significant therapeutic problems are associated with complications of chlamydia. These may be: salpingitis, endometritis, ectopic pregnancy, infertility; postpartum endometritis, premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, tumors of the urogenital tract - in women; epididymitis, prostatitis, Reiter's syndrome, infertility, rectal strictures - in men.
IgG class antibodies
Antibodies of the IgA class are secretory antibodies (secretory antibodies are found in saliva, digestive juices, secretions of the nasal mucosa), which are produced during chlamydial infection during the acute period of its development. IgA is detected in the blood 10–15 days after primary infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. They protect the mucous membranes from deeper penetration of chlamydia, where their maximum concentration is observed. IgA antibodies serve as indicators of acute or exacerbation of chronic infection. A decrease in the concentration of IgA antibodies is observed after 3 months. If the disease becomes chronic, their titer increases with exacerbation of the chronic process and with re-infection, and decreases with convalescence. In superficial forms (conjunctivitis, urethritis, etc.) they are produced throughout the infection.
Indications:
- urethritis;
- proctitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- pharyngitis;
- cervicitis;
- pneumonia in children or people with reduced immunity;
- bronchiolitis in children;
- unprotected sexual intercourse;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- cervicitis that occurs during pregnancy.
It is recommended to donate blood in the morning, between 8 am and 12 pm. Blood is drawn on an empty stomach, after 4–6 hours of fasting. It is allowed to drink water without gas and sugar. On the eve of the examination, food overload should be avoided.
Interpretation of results
Units of measurement: UE*
A positive result will be accompanied by an additional comment indicating the sample positivity rate (SP*):
- CP >= 11.0 - positive;
- KP<= 9,0 - отрицательно;
- CP 9.0–11.0 - doubtful.
- IgA - chlamydia;
- infection occurred more than 2 weeks ago (acute phase);
- chronic chlamydia (infection activation phase);
- chlamydia (reinfection);
- development of intrauterine infection (probably).
- acute chlamydia or the active phase of chronic infection were not detected;
- chronic chlamydia, the latent phase, cannot be excluded;
- infection with Chlamydia tr. occurred less than 1–2 weeks ago;
- development of intrauterine infection (unlikely).
- low antibody levels;
- nonspecific serum interferences. It is recommended to repeat the study.
Diagnostic antibody titer to Chlamydia trachomatis in the blood: for IgM - 1:200 and above, for IgG - 1:10 and above.
During acute chlamydial infection and shortly after it, there is an increase in the titer of IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis in the blood. Infected with Chlamydia trachomatis the body synthesizes antibodies, but these antibodies have a weak protective effect: pathogens usually persist even in the presence of high antibody titers. Early intensive treatment may inhibit antibody synthesis. Due to the relatively large “antigenic mass” of chlamydia during genital infections, serum IgG antibodies are detected quite often and in high levels. So, in children with chlamydial pneumonia they can be very high: 1:1600-1:3200.
IgM antibodies are detected during the acute period of infection (as early as 5 days after its onset). The peak of IgM antibodies occurs in the 1st-2nd week, then their titer gradually decreases (as a rule, they disappear after 2-3 months even without treatment). IgM antibodies are directed against lipopolysaccharide and the main protein of the outer membrane of chlamydia. The presence of IgM antibodies indicates the activity of chlamydia. IgM antibodies do not penetrate the placenta; they are synthesized in the fetus and belong to the newborn’s own antibodies. Their presence indicates infection (including intrauterine) and indicates an active process. The IgM antibody titer may increase during reactivation, reinfection, or superinfection. Their half-life is 5 days.
Antibodies of the IgA class are synthesized against the main protein of the outer membrane and a protein with a molecular weight of 60,000-62,000 of chlamydia. They are detected in blood serum 10-14 days after the onset of the disease, their titer usually decreases by 2-4 months as a result of successful treatment. During reinfection, the IgA antibody titer increases again. If after a course of treatment the IgA antibody titer does not decrease, this indicates a chronic or persistent form of infection. The detection of a high titer of IgA antibodies often indicates a pronounced autoimmune process in the patient, most often found in patients with Reiter's syndrome. In such patients, the presence of IgA antibodies indicates a severe course of the disease.
IgG antibodies appear 15-20 days after the onset of the disease and can persist for many years. Reinfection is accompanied by an increase in the existing titer of IgG antibodies. Determination of the titer of antibodies to chlamydia in the blood must be carried out over time; assessment of research results based on a single study is unreliable. IgG antibodies cross the placenta and form anti-infective immunity in newborns. High titers of IgG-AT protect the fetus from infection, as well as women from the occurrence of salpingitis after artificial termination of pregnancy; in addition, they provide short-term protection (up to 6 months) from re-infection with chlamydia. The half-life of IgG-AT is 23 days.
To establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to simultaneously determine antibodies of the IgA and IgG classes; if the IgA result is unclear, additionally examine IgM antibodies.
Newborns and their mothers are examined on days 1-3 after birth, in case of a negative result in the presence of a clinical picture of the disease - again on days 5-7 and 10-14. The presence of IgM class antibodies during repeated testing indicates a congenital infection (maternal IgM class antibodies do not penetrate the placenta). The absence of anti-chlamydial antibodies in newborns does not mean the absence of chlamydial infection.
Determination of antibody titer to Chlamydia trachomatis in the blood - an auxiliary test for diagnosing chlamydia, since due to low immunogenicity, antibodies are not detected in 50% of patients with chlamydia.
Determination of antibodies of classes IgA, IgM and IgG to Chlamydia trachomatis in the blood is used to diagnose chlamydia infection in the following diseases:
- urethritis, prostatitis, cervicitis, adnexitis;
- pneumonia, inflammatory lung diseases;
- Reiter's disease, Behcet's syndrome, infectious arthropathy.
Diseases caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
Trachoma. Chronic keratoconjunctivitis begins with acute inflammatory changes in the conjunctiva and cornea and leads to scarring and blindness.
In scrapings from the conjunctiva, chlamydial antigens in epithelial cells are determined by fluorescence. More often they are found in the early stages of the disease in the upper part of the conjunctiva.
Urogenital chlamydia and conjunctivitis. The detection rate of chlamydia in men with nongonococcal urethritis is 30-50%. The infection rate of women having their first pregnancy reaches 5-20%, and 3-18% for those having an abortion. Among patients with signs of cervicitis, chlamydial infection is detected in 20-40% of cases; salpingitis - in 20-70% of cases; urinary tract infection - in 5-10% of cases.
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is also considered an early complication of chlamydial infection; it is acute peritonitis and perihepatitis, accompanied by ascites.
Respiratory tract lesions caused by Chlamydia. Adults with chlamydial conjunctivitis often develop symptoms of damage to the upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, rhinitis, otitis media, etc.), apparently developing as a result of the spread of chlamydial infection through the nasolacrimal duct. Pneumonia does not usually develop in adults. In newborns infected from their mothers, 2-12 weeks after birth, damage to the respiratory system, including pneumonia, is possible.
Reiter's syndrome (disease) For Reiter's syndrome. characterized by the classic triad: urethritis, conjunctivitis and arthritis. In this syndrome, chlamydia can be found in the synovial fluid. An increase in the titer of antibodies of the IgA, IgM and IgG classes is noted during the development of an active joint infection.
Endocarditis. Clinically, they occur with lightning speed, with significant damage to the aortic valves.
Latent infection can manifest spontaneously in the form of an asymptomatic complication. More than half of the patients show signs of chronic prostatitis and/or sacroiliitis.
Currently, methods that detect antigens are used to diagnose chlamydial infection Chlamydia trachomatis in the material under study (ELISA, fluorescent antibody method, PCR). Determination of antibody titer in blood serum to Chlamydia trachomatis- an auxiliary method for diagnosing chlamydia.
Antibodies to chlamydia lgM, Chlamydia tr. IgM, quantitative- allows you to determine the presence of IgM antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis.
Chlamydia trachomatis- This is a type of chlamydia, which is the causative agent of one of the most common diseases - chlamydia.
Chlamydia- a bacterial infectious disease of a systemic nature with a predominantly subacute or chronic course. Characterized by damage to the epithelium of the mucous membranes (genital organs, eyes, respiratory system organs).
The infection is transmitted through sexual contact and household contact. The risk group consists of people who practice promiscuity and family members (especially children) infected with chlamydia. The sizes of elementary bodies of C. trachomatis are very small - 0.2–0.4 µm. This causes incomplete protection of sexual partners by mechanical means of contraception.
Chlamydia trachomatis exists in two forms: infectious (elementary body) - metabolically weakly active, adapted to exist in the extracellular environment, and vegetative (reticular body) - intracellular form, metabolically active, formed during the reproduction of chlamydia. As a result of the division of reticular bodies inside the cytoplasmic vacuole and their transformation into elementary bodies, up to 1000 new elementary bodies are formed. The development cycle usually ends with the death of the epithelial cell and the release of new elementary bodies from it.
Under certain conditions (immunity characteristics, inadequate antibiotic therapy), there is a delay in the maturation of reticular bodies and their transformation into elementary bodies, which leads to a decrease in the expression of the main antigens of Chlamydia trachomatis, a decrease in the immune response and a change in sensitivity to antibiotics. A persistent infection occurs. Reactivation of a persistent infection can occur under the influence of changes in immune or hormonal status, trauma, surgery, or stress.
Intoxication is not typical for chlamydial infection. The outcome of the inflammatory process in chlamydia is thickening of the affected mucous membrane, metaplasia of epithelial cells into stratified squamous epithelium, followed by the proliferation of scar connective tissue. The latter is believed to be one of the main causes of secondary infertility in men and women as a result of the infectious process of chlamydial etiology.
The systemic nature of the lesions (including Reiter's syndrome) is autoimmune in nature and is not associated with bacteremia. The clinical picture of infection, in most cases, is not specific. Manifest forms of chlamydia in men can occur in the form of urethritis, proctitis, conjunctivitis, and pharyngitis. In women - urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, conjunctivitis, lymphogranuloma venereum. In children - conjunctivitis, pneumonia, otitis media, bronchiolitis.
The greatest diagnostic difficulties are presented by asymptomatic forms. Significant therapeutic problems are associated with complications of chlamydia. These may be: salpingitis, endometritis, ectopic pregnancy, infertility; postpartum endometritis, premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, tumors of the urogenital tract - in women; epididymitis, prostatitis, Reiter's syndrome, infertility, rectal strictures - in men.
IgM antibodies for chlamydia
Antibodies of the IgM class appear first during the body's immune response to the penetration of an infectious agent. The presence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis of the IgM class in the blood is observed in the early period of the disease or at the beginning of an exacerbation of the chronic process. High titers of IgM antibodies in combination with low titers of IgG antibodies indicate an early stage of the process.
Indications:
- urethritis;
- conjunctivitis;
- proctitis;
- pharyngitis;
- cervicitis, especially occurring during pregnancy;
- pneumonia in children or people with reduced immunity;
- bronchiolitis in children;
- unprotected sexual intercourse; frequent change of sexual partners;
- lymphogranuloma venereum;
- ectopic pregnancy;
- infertility;
- ophthalmia of the newborn.
It is recommended to donate blood in the morning, between 8 am and 12 pm. Blood is drawn on an empty stomach, after 4–6 hours of fasting. It is allowed to drink water without gas and sugar. On the eve of the examination, food overload should be avoided.
Interpretation of results
Units of measurement: UE*
A positive result will be accompanied by an additional comment indicating the sample positivity rate (SP*):
- CP >= 11.0 - positive;
- KP<= 9,0 - отрицательно;
- CP 9.0–11.0 - doubtful.
- chlamydia (early stage);
- chronic chlamydia (initial phase of infection activation);
- chlamydia (reinfection, early stage).
- absence of acute stage or reactivation of chlamydia.
- low antibody levels;
- nonspecific serum interferences.
According to medical statistics, the incidence of chlamydia, a urogenital infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, is steadily increasing among the middle-aged population. Such disappointing data are due to the high sexual activity of this category of people, a number of difficulties associated with making an accurate diagnosis, as well as the low level of awareness of people belonging to the risk group about how to identify and treat the disease. Making a diagnosis based on the clinical picture is almost impossible due to the absence of characteristic symptoms. Only a blood test for chlamydia or other highly accurate research methods will help to identify chlamydia in a timely manner and determine a drug that effectively inhibits pathogenic microflora.
To diagnose chlamydia, a blood test for antibody levels is necessary.
Basic principles of research
In the field of practical medicine, there are certain standards for the results of studies conducted, according to which the presence or absence of chlamydia is determined. However, despite the availability of clear data, it is strictly not recommended to interpret the obtained decoding results to independently identify the infection. Only a specialist can determine a positive or negative result.
Currently, there are many methods for studying blood, a number of which are based on the determination in biological material of antibodies produced by the body as a response to infection and subsequent intoxication. To obtain the most reliable results, it is recommended to follow the basic rules for submitting and interpreting results:
- Before collecting biological materials for research, you must follow all the rules prescribed by your doctor, which include, for example, avoiding alcohol.
For the accuracy of the analysis, it is necessary to exclude alcohol consumption
- Even if a positive result was obtained, only a specialist can determine the presence of antibodies to chlamydia in the blood and, accordingly, identify the infection and prescribe the subsequent treatment option.
- Obtaining reliable results is most often possible only after a certain time has elapsed from the moment of infection, which can range from several days to several weeks.
Important! Modern research methods help to identify not only antibodies to chlamydia, but also to determine the type of antibiotic agents to which the detected strain of viruses is most sensitive. Thanks to this aspect, it is possible to prescribe the most correct option for conservative therapy.
Blood test for antibodies
Among the most reliable and frequently used methods for diagnosing chlamydia is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, abbreviated as chlamydia ELISA.
Blood samples are taken on an empty stomach
To carry out this research method, it is necessary to collect the patient’s venous blood, taken subject to a number of rules that must be followed before donating blood for chlamydia:
- The collection of biological material occurs in the morning; before the procedure, the patient should not eat for several hours.
- To obtain the most reliable results, the patient is advised to avoid drinking alcohol, strong medications, and excessively spicy and salty foods.
- You should not smoke immediately on the day of hemolymph collection.
Failure to comply with these rules may well lead to an erroneous interpretation of the results, that is, the interpretation of the analysis for the presence of chlamydia may be presented in a distorted form.
Smoking is prohibited before taking tests
The essence of the method is to identify a substance called immunoglobulin or antibodies to chlamydia, which begins to be produced by the body no later than two weeks from the moment of infection. The accuracy of this research method is at least 60 percent of the correct results of the total number. Often, to obtain the most accurate results, several types of diagnostics are used simultaneously, for example, PCR or, that is, testing the blood and other biological materials of the patient.
Decoding the results
A blood test for chlamydia or other infectious diseases, the interpretation of which can show both positive and negative results, occurs through the detection of antibodies in the hemolymph. Antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis begin to be produced by the body at high speed during the acute phase of the disease. After recovery, the level of antibodies gradually decreases over several months, and can only be increased if there is a secondary infection.
Only a doctor should interpret the tests
The body into which chlamydia trachomatis has entered begins to fight the infection itself, and even before taking medications is started, antibodies of the IgA, IgM or IgG (Lgg) groups are produced in the blood, trying to resist infection. Unfortunately, these immunoglobulins do not have great protective power, so they will not be able to defeat the disease on their own, but the presence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and the amount in titers (IgG 1:10 or 1:20) indicate a specific phase of the infectious process
These markers usually appear in the patient’s body two weeks after the infection entered the body. If, during diagnosis, IgG antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis are detected in a patient, it means that there was an infection in the body, but it is in the distant past, or treatment is taking place now and is quite successful with a decrease in titers. IgG antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis can remain normal in the blood (1:10, 1:20 and up to 1:50) and can be detected during testing for several years after complete recovery.
Submission and interpretation of tests to detect antibodies
IgG antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis can be detected by donating venous blood. The best and fairly reliable study is the ELISA method. The collection of the test material is usually carried out in any laboratory in the morning. No preparatory measures are required from the patient. Doctors only recommend not smoking half an hour before coming to the clinic. Additionally, the attending physician should be informed about the use of antibiotics if treatment is being carried out.
It is incorrect to evaluate test results based on one reading of antibody titers. The course of the disease can only be judged by comparing several diagnostics. Based on the results of IgG antibody titers to chlamydia trachomatis, treatment is prescribed if necessary and the presence of an acute form of chlamydia is determined:
- Antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis IgG (Lgg) ranging from 1:10 to 1:50 - normal or negative result
- Antibodies in the range from 1:50 to 1:60 - questionable result
- Antibodies ranging from 1:60 and above - positive result
Antibodies IgG and Lgg to chl. trachomatis during pregnancy
The greatest danger is posed by chlamydia during pregnancy. Every woman who has ever had a chlamydial infection should be especially attentive to getting tested while carrying a baby. Most often, in such patients who have had the disease, IgG antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis and peculiar Lgg antibodies are found in the blood. You should not be afraid of the presence of this group of immunoglobulins. They are evidence of past treatment.
Lgg antibodies during pregnancy should not exceed the above norms (from 1:10 to 1:50). If pregnancy is complicated by infection, titers will increase. In a fairly short period (2 weeks), antibody levels can increase 2-4 times. This indicates acute chlamydia against the background of other diseases. If any abnormalities are noticed during pregnancy, an additional analysis of the amniotic fluid can be done. As soon as the levels of these antibodies begin to decrease, it means that the disease has responded to treatment and nothing threatens the pregnancy.
If Lgg antibodies to chl. trachomatis was first discovered during pregnancy, there is no need to talk about past infection. Then the doctor recommends taking a blood test to determine group G immunoglobulins for chlamydia trachomatis. Based on two analyses, one can make an accurate conclusion about the degree of threat of the virus to the embryo. If these immunoglobulins are detected in the first trimester of pregnancy, it is worth knowing that the infection was acquired before the fetus was conceived, because the incubation period and the time of antibody formation are taken into account. When antibodies are detected for the first time at a later stage, pregnant women are placed at risk, they are monitored and, if necessary (a constant increase in titers), treatment is prescribed.