Enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked fluoroimmunoassay for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen

A study of the incidence of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis in patients attending specialized departments of Rome, Milan and Turin, Italy

A study of Chlamydia trachomatis was conducted in 5270 subjects seen at clinics of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at La Sapienza University in Rome, the S. Anna Hospital in Turin, and the Provincial Maternity Hospital Institute in Milan. In these areas, C. trachomatis was present in 5.8% of the cases examined; in addition it was present with statistically significant frequencies in cases of salpingitis (49.1) and epididymitis (21.7). It may also be found in cases of extrauterine pregnancy, sterility and abortion. Those most affected were women who had begun their sexual activity at an early age, were under 25, had several sexual partners and who used the coil and/or spermicides. A routine check for C. trachomatis should be considered for those women with those risk factors.

Unknown sequence amplification: application to in vitro genome walking in Chlamydia trachomatis L2

A recently described technique, 'Chemical Genetics' unknown sequence amplification method, which requires only one specific oligonucleotide, has broadened the applicability of the polymerase chain reaction to DNA of unknown sequence. We have adapted this technique to the study of the genome of Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterium, and describe modifications that significantly improve the utility of this approach. These techniques allow for rapid genomic analysis entirely in vitro, using DNA of limited quantity or purity.