Antibodies to Chlamydia species in patients attending a genitourinary clinic and the impact of antibodies to C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci on the sensitivity and the specificity of C. trachomatis serology tests.

In a retrospective study, the prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis serovars D to K, C. pneumoniae, and C. psittaci in cases attending a genitourinary clinic was examined. Blood samples were collected from 7,002 cases attending the clinic in Doncaster, England between May 1983 and May 1990. Sera from these samples were tested by a modified microimmunofluorescence test using panels of microdots of egg-grown, purified elementary bodies representing a pool of C. trachomatis D to K, a single C. pneumoniae agent, a single C. psittaci agent, and a negative control