Thermo Scientific™ IMAGEN™ Chlamydia Kit using Direct Immunofluorescence Assay

Description

The IMAGEN™ Chlamydia test is a qualitative direct immunofluorescence test for the detection of Chlamydia in human uro-genital and ophthalmic specimens and for the confirmation of Chlamydiae in cell culture.

Chlamydia trachomatis has been recognized as a frequent cause of sexually transmitted diseases^1,2 and has been shown to cause a variety of human infections, some of which may be asymptomatic.

Use IMAGEN Chlamydia Direct Kit as a rapid, sensitive and specific method for direct detection and identification of Chlamydiae in clinical specimens or cell cultures.

• Rapid results—within little over 30 minutes of receiving test sample or culture
• Simple—ready-to-use reagents plus all IMAGEN assays follow the same basic methodology
• Excellent sensitivity and specificity—high quality, well characterized antibodies used in the assay provide excellent sensitivity and specificity
• Easy-to-read results
• Long shelf life—typically 24 months

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular parasites closely related to Gram-negative bacteria¹. The genus Chlamydia contains three known species, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The life cycle of Chlamydiae is complex but two main structures are recognized, the infectious elementary body and the reticulate body.

Currently, there are three main diagnostic methods used for the detection of Chlamydia in clinical specimens. Firstly, by isolation of the organism and visualization—viable elementary bodies present in clinical specimens infect tissue culture cells and the resultant inclusions are detected by staining techniques, e.g., iodine or immunofluorescence. Secondly, by direct demonstration of Chlamydia in clinical specimens using a fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibody. Thirdly, by enzyme immunoassay (e.g., IDEIA™ PCE Chlamydia Kit) to determine the presence of Chlamydia antigen in clinical specimens³.

Direct immunofluorescence techniques utilising fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies^4,5,6 have been shown to have good correlation when compared to cell culture techniques for the detection of C. trachomatis.

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