INTRODUCTION

The alphaWell Chlamydia pneumoniae ELISAs are intended for the qualitative determination of IgG, IgM and IgA class antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae in serum or plasma.

Chlamydiae are small obligate cell parasites. The reproductive cycle of the chlamydiae comprises two developmental stages: The elementary bodies are optimally adapted to survival outside of host cells. The initial bodies, also known as reticulate bodies, are the form which the chlamydiae reproduce inside the host cells by means of transverse fission.

Three human pathogen species of chlamydiae are known: C. psitacci, C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae (see tab.).

Chlamydia pneumoniae causes infections of the respiratory organs in humans that usually run a mild course: influenza-like infections, sinusitis, pharyngitis,
bronchitis, pneumonia (atypical). Clinically silent infections are frequent. C. pneumoniae is pathogenic in humans only. The pathogen is transmitted by aerosol droplets. These infections are probably among the most frequent human Chlamydia infections.

In the majority of cases the asymptomatic infection by Chlamydiae is a problem: The primary infection can’t be diagnosed and therefore damages (poss. chronic disease) are caused.

Infections may be diagnosed by:

• Microscopy: Determination eg. of initial bodies in conjunctival cells
• Serology: Determination of specific antibodies based on the ELISA-technique

ANTIGENS

Highly purified C. pneumoniae CWL-029 antigens

SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

COMMERCIAL PRODUCT