The seroepidemiology ofChlamydiaein Finland over the period 1971 to 1987

Abstract

SUMMARYThe seroepidemiology of chlamydial infections in the Finnish population was studied by analysing the prevalence of chlamydial complement fixing (CF) antibodies in patients sera sent for virus serological screening tests over 17 years from 1971 to 1987. The total number of sera studied was over 160000. In the early 1970s, the prevalence of chlamydial CF antibodies (CF titres > 8) was low (less than 2 %), but later the proportion of seropositive cases rose, and in 1976, 18% of sera contained antibodies. In 1984, the seropositivity rate was over 31 %. The prevalence of high chiamydial CF titres (titres > 64) also showed annual variation. In general, under 1 % of sera contained chlamydial CF antibodies in high titre, but in 1979 and 1984, distinct peaks occurred when 1-3 % and 1-4 % of sera, respectively, had titres > 64. The age-related antibody positivity rate showed a decline during early infancy, an increase in childhood and adolescence, and a stable level in adulthood when approximately 20 % of the sera contained antibodies. The chlamydial antigen used in this survey was genus-specific, i.e. it detects antibodies against. all chlamydial species. Epidemiological data support the hypothesis that infections due to a novel chlamydial species, TWAR chlamydia, are the most likely explanation for the relatively frequent occurrence of chlamydial CF antibodies and for the variation in CF antibody prevalence.

Prevalence and Persistence of Chlamydia pneumoniae Antibodies in Healthy Laboratory Personnel in Finland

“…In the years 1971 to 1982 and 1984 to 1987 in Finland, chlamydial antibodies were screened from over 160,000 sera by the complement fixation (CF) test. Puolakkainen et al (37) analyzed these findings from over 17 years and showed that the prevalence of chlamydial antibodies was low in the early 1970s (less 2%), increased to 18% in 1976, and later varied annually between 12% and 22%, except in 1984, when over 31% of the sera contained chlamydial antibodies. Even though the CF test is less sensitive than MIF and measures chlamydial genusspecific antibodies instead of species-specific antibodies, the changes in the chlamydial CF positivity rate have most likely been caused by C. pneumoniae (TWAR) epidemics.…”

Respiratory Symptoms, Asthma, Atopy and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG Antibodies in a General Population Sample of Young Adults

“…Other authors have also reported an association with bronchial hyperreactivity and chronic asthma based on serology [7], PCR [8] and direct isolation [9]. Finally, population-based studies indicate that an increasing C. pneumoniae seroprevalence is correlated with an increasing prevalence of asthma [10]. These studies suggest that C. pneumoniae may be important in the onset of asthma.…”

From the authors

“…There is growing evidence that oropharyngeal dysphagia plays a critical role in aspiration pneumonia and VAP in mechanically ventilated patients [3,4]. Brain injury, severe stroke and unconsciousness, due to sedatives and hypnotics, disturb the swallowing reflex.…”

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example, country-wide epidemics and the increasing seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Finland [4] have been accompanied by corresponding country-wide increased asthma medication use in both males and females and all age groups [5]. The growing body of clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic evidence implicating acute, reactivated and chronic infection by C. pneumoniae in asthma [6,7] forms the basis for proposing the theory that a now waning, geographically heterogeneous worldwide C. pneumoniae pandemic is responsible for the recent unexplained observations.

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