Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis Pgp3 Antibody in Human Sera.

OBJECTIVE

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Genital infection with C. trachomatis in women can cause ascending infection leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. Studies have suggested that the Pgp3 protein encoded by C. trachomatis plasmid may contribute to long term inflammatory complications of C. trachomatis infection (tubal factor infertility). This study assessed C. trachomatis-specific Pgp3 IgG antibody levels in sera from adolescents and young adults in an inner-city population in New York.

METHODS

Blood was obtained from patients seen in a primary care setting as part of a C. trachomatis seroepidemiology study. Serum samples were selected based on C. trachomatis IgG status (anti-MOMP, Labsystems). C. trachomatis anti-Pgp3 antibodies were assayed in sera from both C. trachomatis IgG positive and negative subjects.

RESULTS

We identified 39 participants, 16-20 y/o (mean age 18±1.2). The number of C. trachomatis IgG positive or negative subjects was 24 and 15, respectively; of the IgG positive subjects, 15% were males, and 85% were females. The mean distribution (OD value) of Pgp3 antibody responses in IgG positive versus negative subjects was 1.03±0.32 and 1.08±0.31 respectively; P=0.7833. The mean difference for Pgp3 responses was 0.0507±0.31, P=0.6266 (two sample t-test).

CONCLUSION

C. trachomatis Pgp3 antibody responses were similar in C. trachomatis anti-MOMP IgG positive and negative subjects.