Laboratory Studies
Laboratory studies include the following:
Diagnosis of chlamydial eye infection is based on clinical appearance and laboratory tests.
Giemsa staining: Basophilic intracytoplasmic epithelial inclusion bodies are seen with Giemsa staining of conjunctival scrapings.
Chlamydial cultures of conjunctiva
Direct immunofluorescent (DFA) staining of the conjunctival scrapings is also useful (Syva MicroTrak).
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [5]
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MicroTrak (Syva Company)
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Chlamydiazyme (Abbott Laboratories)
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EIA (Pharmacia)
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Kodak SureCell Chlamydia Test Kit (Kodak)
Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers to Chlamydia species may be obtained.
Other Tests
Complete sexually transmitted disease workup of patient and partners is indicated.
Histologic Findings
Basophilic intracytoplasmic epithelial inclusion bodies are seen with Giemsa staining of conjunctival scrapings.
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This image reveals a close view of a patient's left eye with the upper lid retracted in order to reveal the inflamed conjunctival membrane lining the inside of both the upper and lower lids, due to what was determined to be a case of inclusion conjunctivitis, a type of conjunctival inflammation caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Inclusion conjunctivitis, also known as chlamydial conjunctivitis, is more common in newborns. Symptoms include redness of the eye(s), swelling of the eyelids, and discharge of pus, usually 5 to 12 days after birth. Image courtesy of Susan Lindsley, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
