Eurofins Biomnis code

TRACG

Synonyms

• Lymphogranuloma venereum
• Myagawanellosis
• Nicolas-Favre - disease

Specialty

Infectious

Clinical significance

Bacterium which only infects the eyes and the genitalia. It usually causes trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis or sexually transmitted disease. Lymphogranuloma venereum remains an exotic infection. "Non-specific" urethritis and cervicitis can be relatively asymptomatic and lead to spread of the infection and ultimately tubular damage and infertility in women or epididymitis and prostatitis in men. A role for C. trachomatis has been suggested in some forms of perihepatitis and in Reiter's syndrome. Infants born to infected mothers may present with post-natal conjunctivitis (which is resistant to silver nitrate treatment) and severe pneumonia. The bacterium can often be directly detected in conjunctival or genital smears. Nucleic acid-based techniques (e.g. PCR) are sensitive, specific and do not necessitate invasive procedures (a urine specimen or a vulvar smear is suitable). Culture takes much longer and requires a urethral, cervical or conjunctival smear and perfect transport conditions. Seroconversion and the presence of IgM are demonstrated in cases of recent primary infection and in infected newborns. Apart from these situations, the presence of IgG indicates contact with the bacterium, which cannot be dated, in that these antibodies persist for a long time and are only influenced by an effective treatment at a late stage. The presence of specific IgA may be of interest in cases of active infection. Note the existence of serological cross-reactions between the different Chamydia species.

Preanalytics

• 1 mL :
• serum
•   Reftrigerated

• A tube specifically for this analysis : No

Further information

Test for IgA or IgM on explicit request
ATTENTION: interference possible in patients treated with biotin (vitamin B7, B8 or H) or taking any food supplement containing biotin. Essential to STOP treatment 8 days before taking the sample.

Methodology

ELISA GSD NovaLisa

Turnaround time

2 days