TY - JOUR T1 - Low yield by molecular detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in respiratory samples in Belgium questioning its etiological role in respiratory tract infections.561 JF - Acta Clin.Belg. Y1 - 2013 A1 - E. Padalko A1 - K. Lagrou A1 - Reynders,M. A1 - Bernard China A1 - Kris Vernelen KW - a KW - additional KW - analysi KW - analysis KW - Belgian KW - Belgium KW - burden KW - Chlamydophila pneumoniae KW - data KW - detection KW - Diagnosis KW - differences KW - Etiology KW - EVALUATION KW - hospital KW - hospitals KW - INFECTION KW - infections KW - IS KW - IT KW - Laboratories KW - method KW - methods KW - Molecular KW - molecular detection KW - Observation KW - ON KW - PCR KW - RATES KW - Respiratory KW - Respiratory Tract Infections KW - Role KW - routine KW - Sample KW - Samples KW - study KW - use KW - Yield AB - The actual burden of respiratory infections due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae is difficult to assess due to the major differences in positivity rates between PCR- and serology-based methods. The aim of the current study was to objectively analyse the yield of PCRs for the detection of C. pneumoniae in respiratory samples and to evaluate the additional value of performing laboratory diagnosis for C. pneumoniae in a setting of respiratory infection. The data based on routine analysis of respiratory samples with request for C. pneumoniae detection were collected from 4 large Belgian hospitals during 2 consecutive years. In total 3560 respiratory samples have been analysed and overall only 7 samples (0.2%) were found positive. Based on these observations, the critical evaluation of the actual role of C. pneumoniae in the etiology of lower respiratory infections and consequently of the extensive use of diagnostic tools for the detection of C. pneumoniae is needed. VL - 68 CP - 3 U1 - 38822 ER -