Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis in Cultured Conjunctival Cell

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to observe the elementary body and initial body in the cultured conjuntival epithelial cell, which was co-cultures with Chlamydia trachomatis serotype-D. Following 3 weeks of cultivation of the rabbit conjuntival epithelial cell, Chlamydia trachomatis seretype-D was inoculated into the epithelial cells and co-cultured for 24, 48, and 96 hours respectively. The infected conjunctival epithelial cells was stained with fluorescence-conjugated chlamydial antibody and iodine staining. Regardless of the duration of the cocultivation time, the cultured conjunctival cells showed the positive reaction to immunofluorescent staining and iodine staining. These results indicate that Chlamydia trachomatis can be cultured in the cultured conjuntival epothelial cell of rabbit and iodine staining is a good alternative to the immunofluorescent method.