Description
Intended Use: The Chlamydia Trachomatis IgG Kit is intended for the detection of IgG antibody to Chlamydia Trachomatis in human serum or plasma.
Summary and Explaination: C. trachomatis is an intracellular parasite pathogen that is similar in cell wall structure to gram-negative bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the US with more than 4 million cases reported annually. The main sites of infection include the GU tract and rectum but conjunctivitis, perihepatitis and reactive arthritis may result. The infection is often asymptomatic, making it difficult to diagnose; as many as 2/3 of infected women are asymptomatic. Women develop mucopurulent cervicitis, and irregular menstrual bleeding or abdominal pain may occur in about 40% of these women. PID is found in about 5% of women. The infection is usually symptomatic in men with dysuria and white/clear discharge occurring. Epididymitis is common. The infection incubates in 7 to 21 days and is commonly found with a second STD pathogen. IgG and IgM antibodies to C. trachomatis can be detected with 2-4 weeks after exposure. IgG remains positive, but the antibody level can drop overtime. ELISA can detect C. trachomatis IgM antibody for many months after infection.
Principle of the test: Diluted patient serum is added to wells coated with purified antigen. IgG specific antibody, if present, binds to the antigen. All unbound materials are washed away and the enzyme conjugate is added to bind to the antibody-antigen complex, if present. Excess enzyme conjugate is washed off and substrate is added. The plate is incubated to allow the hydrolysis of the substrate by the enzyme. The intensity of the color generated is proportional to the amount of IgG specific antibody in the sample