Seroepidemiology of Chlamydia Pneumoniae in Northern Greece

Abstract

The prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae was evaluated in a group of an apparently healthy population in northern Greece. Serum samples were obtained over a period of one year (June 2006 to May 2007) from 530 individuals (300 males and 230 females, aged from 1 month to 90 years). The sera were tested for specific antibodies to C. pneumoniae by two commercial methods, an ELISA and a micro-IF assay based on the principles of MIF. The prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae was 53.2% and 45.9%, respectively, and was found to be unrelated to gender, even in the elderly >61 years old. The IgG antibody prevalence was low in children under 5 years old (7.7%), sharply increased by the age of 20 (40%) and continued to increase, gradually, to reach 80.1% in the elderly. IgA antibodies also increased with similar kinetics to IgG, although at a lower level (3.8-66.1 %). Our results show that infection with C.pneumoniae is common in northern Greece. The high prevalence of IgA specific antibodies reported in the present study is due to primary infection at a young age, while in the elderly is probably due to infection or reinfection, although the option of persistence cannot be excluded.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and Childhood Asthma

“…pneumoniae is a widespread cause of infection, with an estimated seroprevalence of over 50% among adults in many countries [35][36][37]. However, the prevalence is relatively low in children under 5 to 10 years old (7-8%), but it sharply increases to 40-55% in those aged 20 and continues to increase gradually, reaching 70-80% in the elderly [38,39].…”

Childhood Chlamydia Infections

“…Serological studies showed that C. pneumoniae is common, with a seroprevalence of over 50% among adults, indicating previous infection [16][17][18][19]. In addition, prevalence is relatively low in children under five to ten years (7-8%), sharply increases by the age of 20 (%40-55), and continues to increase gradually to rise in the elderly to 70-80% [16,20].…”