Standardization of ELISA technique for the detection of antibodies to chlamydia pneumoniae

A number of different detergents were used to extract genus-specific, chlamydial lipopolysaccharide [LPS] antigen and to standardize ELISA test for the determination of specific antibody against Chlamydia pneumoniae. The results with a panel of specific and cross-reactive sera indicated that the test was specific, and the cross-reactvity for human sera was due to the presence of antibodies to more than one species. A strong correlation was found between ELISA and the microimmunfluorescence [MIF] test [r=0.981]; however, the former test has the advantage of simplicity and ease of interpretation, and therefore can be used for epidemiological studies