Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis inclusions in Mccoy cell cultures with fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies

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Abstract
Two methods for identification of C. trachomatis inclusions in McCoy [mouse fibroblast] cell monolayers were compared: conventional I staining and immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies against the species-specific major outer membrane protein antigen of C. trachomatis. Among 878 [human] urethral and cervical specimens tested in parallel, the immunofluorescence method detected 8-fold more inclusions per monolayer, identified a higher proportion of positive specimens on 1st passage (98 vs. 62% by I staining; P < 0.01) and improved overall sensitivity (98% of total positive specimens detected vs. 84% by I staining; P < 0.01). Improved sensitivity was most evident in specimens with low numbers of inclusions. Compared with conventional I staining, immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies improves sensitivity and offers more rapid detection of chlamydial inclusions in cell culture.