Description
Intended Uses: The recomWell Chlamydia pneumoniae is used to detect IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against proteins on the external membrane of the path-ogen Chlamydia pneumoniae. Infections with the pathogen are transmitted aerogenically and can lead to diseases of the upper respiratory tract, the bronchia and the lungs. A correlation with other diseases such as coronary heart dis-ease (CHD) is also known. An infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae is usually asymptomatic or produces only minimal symptoms. The preva-lence of the pathogen in the adult population is about 50%. IgM antibodies, followed by IgA antibodies, develop within 2 to 4 weeks of the initial infection while IgG antibodies develop within 6 to 8 weeks. IgG and IgA antibodies can also occur with reinfections and persist for long periods. The recomWell Chlamydia pneumoniae can be used to determine the serological status or to support tests for an acute infection.
Principle of the Assay: The microtitre plates of the detection test are coated with a purified na-tive complex of proteins from the external membrane of Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary and reticular bodies. Diluted serum or plasma samples are incubated in the wells of the mi-crotitre plates and specific antibodies to the pathogen antibodies at-tach to the bottom of the cavities. Unbound antibodies are then washed away. In a second step, anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies (IgG, IgM or IgA), which are coupled to horseradish peroxidase, are incubated in the wells. Unbound conjugate antibodies are then washed away. Specific bound antibody is detected in a colour reaction catalysed by the peroxidase. If an antigen-antibody reaction has taken place, the colour intensity of the solution increases in proportion to the quantity of bound anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies. The in-tensity of the colour can be measured using a photometer and pro-vides information about the concentration of the anti-Chlamydia pneu-moniae antibodies in the sample