Comparative study of various Chlamydia strains--preliminary study (author's transl)]

The chlamydia order comprises two species (Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci) which are the only ones which can be rigorously differentiated with experimental criteria. However, the clinical study of chlamydia demonstrates the existence of various syndromes due to pathogenic agents. Some observations also seem to indicate the possibility of antigenic differences between isolated strains, during abortions, among small ruminants.We have entered upon a comparative study of various Chlamydia psittaci strains in order to look for objective criteria of differentiation of the strains extracted from small ruminants from those which were isolated from other animal species. Chlamydia taken from samples of ovine and caprine origin by direct isolation on embryonated egg or on cellular cultures were also compared by the following methods: seroneutralization on embryonated eggs and on cell cultures, characteristics of the plaques on cell cultures, crossed-immunofluorescence, toxic effects, lethal action on the foetus of the pregnant mouse, crossed-immunoelectrophoresis by agar gel (simple or double quantitative diffusion), electrophoresis by polyacrylamide gel.The use of those numerous techniques has enabled us to observe significant differences between those strains. However, it is not yet possible to propose a classification defining several groups. The specificity of these differences, especially between ovine and caprine strains, should become clear through the studies now in progress: in particular through the method using the interference of specific antigens compared on the one hand by serioimmunologic methods and, on the other hand, by tests setting an immunity to cellular mediation into action.