RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS PNEUMONIA IN INFANTS

Abstract
By utilizing a species-specific monoclonal antibody against C. trachomatis for a direct fluorescent antibody stain, chlamydias were demonstrated in smears of respiratory tract secretions from 2 infants with pneumonia. C. trachomatis were isolated from tracheo-nasopharyngeal aspirates of both babies and high titer IgM antibodies were found in both against the isolated serotype. None of the 3 diagnostic methods were positive for C. trachomatis in any of the other 39 infants and children 6 yr of age with pneumonia studied.