How can I get tested for CPn?

There are several ways to test for CPn, although false negatives are common mostly due to test protocol, and technician skill.

Firstly you can visit your General Practitioner (GP) and ask for a blood test; you will need to be tested for Chlamydophila Pneumoniae SP ELISA.  The ELISA protocol is an extremely sensitive technique used to detect antibodies in a solution.  The results of this test will indicate Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels. If the IgG level returns positive, this indicates that a past infection has occurred.  If the IgA level returns positive, this indicates a recent infection has occurred. It is recommended to have bloods tested by a Healthscope Laboratory (Australia only) as they have currently proved to be the most sensitive in Australia in testing for the CPn infection.  It is important to note that a blood test will not necessarily signify a positive CPn infection.

The second test to assist in trying to indicate the presence of a CPn infection is the ‘NAC test’.  N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a supplement made up of a sulphurous amino acid which assists in bursting the cells of CPn in the Elementary Body phase. A positive result from the ‘NAC test’ will bring about sinusitis or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, headache, and possibly pressure in the jugular veins.  These symptoms are die-off reactions from the Elementary Bodies being destroyed.  In order to conduct this test, you will need to consume 1200mg of NAC twice daily; if you have a severe reaction you can always lower the dosage to 600mg of NAC twice daily.  Once you are able to tolerate the NAC you can then increase the dosage. A reaction to the ‘NAC test’ will indicate a positive result for CPn infection.