Chest
Clinical InvestigationsA Seroepidemiologic Study of Chlamydia pneumoniae in Rhode Island: Evidence of Serologic Cross-reactivity
Section snippets
Subjects
Details of the investigation of the cluster of cases of sarcoidosis are reported elsewhere (manuscript submitted). The 124 active male graduates of the Providence (RI) Fire Department's 3 apprenticeship classes that met between 1974 and 1980 were recruited. Included were three members of the class of 1979 who developed sarcoidosis in 1986 to 1987. The 165 active male members of the Providence Police Department's 7 apprenticeship classes that met between 1973 and 1981 were recruited to serve as
Results
A total of 147 individuals were evaluated, 99 firefighters and 48 police officers. Ninety-eight percent were white. Mean age was 35.5±3.3 years. Current smoking was reported by 24 percent, chronic productive cough by 24 percent, one or more episodes of being overcome by smoke by 44 percent, and a cold, flu, fever, or upper respiratory tract infection within the preceding 3 days by 11 percent.
Evidence of previous C pneumoniae infection was present in 108 (73 percent) subjects, while evidence of
Discussion
There were three major findings in this study. First, the C pneumoniae seroprevalence of 86 percent represents the highest rate yet reported. While the reason for the high seroprevalence rate in Rhode Island is unknown, it is possible that in the years just prior to our study, Rhode Island experienced an epidemic of C pneumoniae similar to previously documented outbreaks in Scandinavia.3, 4, 5 In any case, our results are unlikely to have been due to an “over-reading” of serologic tests, given
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Mary Ann Boucher and Elaine F. Papa for technical assistance, and Mary P. Martino, Sandra J. Coppolino, and Colette S. Meehen for secretarial assistance.
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Chlamydia pneumoniae
2014, Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious DiseasesCHLAMYDIA INFECTIONS
2009, Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Sixth EditionChlamydophila pneumoniae diagnostics: Importance of methodology in relation to timing of sampling
2009, Clinical Microbiology and InfectionCitation Excerpt :With regard to the detection of C. pneumoniae, many studies have shown poor agreement between the results obtained by culture, PCR and serology [3–6], whereas others have found good agreement [7,8]. The diagnostic accuracy of the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test has also been questioned [4,5,9–13]. Following primary infection, IgM antibodies detectable by MIF may not appear before 3 weeks after onset of illness, and IgG antibodies may not reach levels detectable by MIF for 6–8 weeks [14].
Is it possible to distinguish between atypical pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia?: Evaluation of the guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia in Japan
2004, Respiratory MedicineCitation Excerpt :In addition, some studies included a high IgA titer as one of the diagnostic criterion of acute C. pneumoniae pneumonia.23,24 However, the employment of criteria using the single serum antibody, IgG≧1:512, is a controversial issue because a high incidence of IgG≧1:512 has been seen among healthy asymptomatic subjects.27–29 We have also made the same observation.30
The serodiagnositic value of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens in antibody detection using luciferase immunosorbent assay
2024, Frontiers in Public Health
Manuscript received September 18; revision accepted December 8.
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Assistant Professor of Medicine.
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Professor of Epidemiology.