Document 0600
 DOCN  M9440600
 TI    Chlamydia pneumoniae seroprevalence in immunocompetent and
       immunocompromised populations in Milan.
 DT    9404
 AU    Blasi F; Cosentini R; Schoeller MC; Lupo A; Allegra L; Institute of
       Respiratory Diseases, University of Milan, Italy.
 SO    Thorax. 1993 Dec;48(12):1261-3. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94135651
 AB    BACKGROUND--Chlamydia pneumoniae is drawing increasing attention as an
       agent of respiratory tract infection. Specific antibody prevalence in
       western countries is low in preschool children and reaches more than 50%
       in adults. However, little is known about the prevalence of this
       infection in immunocompromised subjects such as HIV-I infected patients.
       The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Chl
       pneumoniae in immunocompetent and immunocompromised (HIV-1 infected)
       paediatric and adult populations. METHODS--Between March 1991 and
       September 1992 764 healthy subjects (421 men and 343 women, age range
       six months-81 years), 96 HIV-I infected (73 men and 23 women, age range
       18-35 years) and 126 HIV-I negative intravenous drug users (92 men and
       34 women, age range 18-37 years), and 50 children (23 boys and 27 girls,
       age range 8-123 months) with vertically transmitted HIV-I infection were
       studied. For each subject an HIV-I test (ELISA and Western blot) was
       performed, together with a microimmunofluorescence test for IgG and IgM
       antibodies to Chl pneumoniae specific antigen (TW-183). RESULTS--In the
       healthy population a low prevalence (11%) was observed in children under
       10 years of age, which increased progressively to 58% in adults over 70
       years. In the HIV-I infected population Chl pneumoniae seroprevalence
       was higher than in immunocompetent controls (children, 26% v 11%; drug
       users, 60% v 40%). Moreover, in drug users this difference was also
       observed in comparison with HIV-1 negative intravenous drug users (60% v
       33%). CONCLUSIONS--Our data on Chl pneumoniae seroprevalence in a
       healthy population are consistent with those reported by others in
       western countries. Moreover, HIV-I infected subjects seem to be at
       higher risk of developing Chl pneumoniae infections.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Aged  Aged, 80 and over  Child  Child, Preschool
       Chlamydia pneumoniae/*IMMUNOLOGY  Chlamydia
       Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY  Female  Human  HIV
       Infections/IMMUNOLOGY/*MICROBIOLOGY  *Immunocompetence
       *Immunocompromised Host  Infant  Male  Middle Age  Prevalence  Risk
       Factors  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
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