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J Clin Pathol 2005;58:617-620 doi:10.1136/jcp.2004.024380
  • Original article

A population based seroepidemiological survey of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in schoolchildren

  1. G Dal Molin1,
  2. B Longo2,
  3. T Not3,
  4. A Poli4,
  5. C Campello2
  1. 1Department of Public Medicine Sciences, UCO Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Trieste and IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
  2. 2Department of Public Medicine Sciences, UCO Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Trieste and IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”
  3. 3Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, UCO Paediatric Clinic, University of Trieste and IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”
  4. 4Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
 Professor C Campello
 UCO Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy; campelloburlo.trieste.it
  • Accepted 23 December 2004

Abstract

Aim: A serosurvey was carried out in schoolchildren from a northeastern area of Italy to define the burden of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection.

Methods: A sample of 649 schoolchildren underwent a simplified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and IgG and IgA antibodies were investigated using an enzyme immunoassay, followed by a microimmunofluorescence assay in reactive sera.

Results: Of the children examined, 29% and 19.7% had IgG and IgA antibodies, respectively. The IgG prevalence increased with age. No other sociodemographical variable was related to C pneumoniae infection. An association was established between IgA prevalence and previous otitis media.

Conclusions: A mesoendemic (intermediate between high and low endemic level) pattern of C pneumoniae infection is present in schoolchildren from this area and the prevalence rate is related to age. Moreover, this is the first epidemiological evidence of the role of C pneumoniae in otitis.

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