Comparison of real-time PCR and a microimmunofluorescence serological assay for detection of chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in an outbreak investigation.

We assessed the performance of a recently validated real-time PCR assay and a commercially available microimmunofluorescence serologic test for the detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection during an outbreak. Evaluation of specimens from 137 individuals suggests that real-time PCR holds greater utility as a diagnostic tool for early C. pneumoniae detection.