SPECIFIC SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN G AGAINST CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE IN HEALTHY CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN SOUTH-EAST OF IRAN

Background: chlamydia pneumoniae (c. pneumonia) is an obligate intracellular bacterium and recognized as a risk factor for several diseases such as asthma,atherosclerosis and arthritis. the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of c. pneumonia in healthy subjects in different age groups.methods: the serum levels of anti c. pneumonia igg were measured by using of elisa.results: totally,630 subjects (164 children and 466 adults) were included into study. the seroprevalence and the mean titer of anti c. pneumonia antibody were 11.3% and 14.48?2.18 ru/ml; at age 510 years,15% and 17.47 +/- 2.40 ru/ml at age 11-20 years,21% and 25.15 +/- 4.56 ru/ml at age 21-30 years group,40% and 53.77 +/- 6.40 ru/ml at age 31-40 years,94% and 146.41 +/- 8.95 ru/ml at age 41-50 years,98% and 153.59 +/- 10.38 ru/ml at age 51-60 years,96% and 138.80 +/- 12.78 ru/ml at age 61-70 years,respectively. the differences of the seroprevalence and the mean titer of anti c. pneumonia antibody between age groups were significant (p<0.0001). the sero-prevalence and the mean titer of anti c. pneumonia antibody were 11.6% and 14.33 +/- 1.49 ru/ml in children and 65.5% and 97.40 +/- 4.46 ru/ml in adults. the seroprevalence and the mean titer of anti c. pneumonia antibody were significantly higher in adults in comparison with those in children (p<0.0001).conclusion: these findings showed that the sero- prevalence and titer of anti c. pneumonia igg were increased with advanced ages and were higher in adults as compared to children.