Determination of IgM antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia)

The method of laboratory diagnostics is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and venous blood is taken as biological material for analysis. The specificity of IgM antibodies is that they begin to be produced earlier than the others (IgA, IgG), so the period of their "activity" is limited. So, the presence of antibodies to chlamydia IgM in the blood indicates a recent fact of infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis IgM testing is usually prescribed to:

• To identify the fact of acute infection with chlamydia infection.
• To fix the presence or absence of chlamydia in the body of a newborn.
• Determine the stage of the disease provoked by chlamydia infection if the patient needs treatment.

As you can see, there are many nuances in the laboratory diagnosis of chlamydia, so the only right decision is to entrust your reproductive health to a professional. It is these specialists who work at the Dobrobut MC clinic in Kyiv.

In itself, family planning is already a sufficient reason to be tested for the presence of antibodies to chlamydia IgM. They may not show any symptoms, but will still be dangerous in future pregnancies. The likelihood of intrauterine infection, which leads to various complications, will be very high.

Other indications include:

• Symptoms of the acute stage of chlamydia: inflammatory processes in the urethra, mucous membranes of the eyes, throat, respiratory organs, rectum, cervix; pain in the lower abdomen, itching, and pain during urination.
• Numerous unprotected intimate relationships, especially with non-permanent sexual partners.
• The inability to conceive a child for a year or more with regular unprotected contacts (this indication is equally relevant for both women and men).

An analysis for antibodies to chlamydia IgM can be prescribed as an additional one. For example, with questionable results on IgA, IgG.

Judging by the positivity coefficient (CP) obtained, as a result, there are three possible “verdicts”:

1. CP less than 0.9 is negative.
2. CP in the range of 0.9-1.1 is debatable.
3. CP greater than 1.1 is positive.

If the concentration of antibodies to chlamydia IgM indicates a negative result, this does not mean that the patient is not infected with these intracellular parasites. The absence of these antibodies also occurs in other cases. For example, if the infection took place a long time ago (more than 3 months ago) or very recently (less than 4 days ago at the time of the test).

To find out the exact cost, as well as get a consultation with a gynecologist in Kyiv, sign up online or by phone - the manager will answer all questions in a personal conversation. After the specialist conducts an examination and a survey, evaluates the feasibility of the analysis, and issues a referral.

The Reproductology Center of MC "Dobrobut" appreciates your time, therefore, it issues the result of the research in 1-2 days after the analysis. Leave an online application on the site for quick feedback.

1. Edwards, Vonetta L., et al. The cervicovaginal microbiota-host interaction modulates Chlamydia trachomatis infection. MBio10.4 (2019): e01548-19.
2. Wiesenfeld, Harold C. Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women. New England Journal of Medicine 376.8 (2017): 765-773.
3. Васильєва, Катерина Володимирівна, Ірина Борисівна Попова, and Анатолій Федорович Артеменко. Урогенітальна хламідійна інфекція у вагітних жінок. Журнал дерматовенерології та косметології ім. МО Торсуєва 2 (2017): 108-111.
4. Zhu H, Shen Z, Luo H, Zhang W, Zhu X. Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection-Associated Risk of Cervical Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(13):e3077.