Direct immunofluorescence and cell culture as two different laboratory methods for detection of chlamydia trachomatis in chronic cervicitis

ABSTRACT

This Study was conducted on 60 non pregnant women, suffering from lower genital discomfort for detection of Chlamgdia trachomotis in their cervices by 2 different laboratory methods [Direct immunofluorescence and cell culture]. Chiamydia trachomotis [C. trachomatis] was detected in 14 [23.33%] out of 60 women by direct immunofluorescence [DIF] compared to 16 [26.67%] out of 60 by cell culture C.trachomatis was common in young age [15-<30y] the percentage is 47.62% while older females [30 - <45y] and [45-56y] had less infection 23.81% and 5.65% respectively. The infection is common in rural areas than urban areas. 11[34.38%] out of 32 women living in rural areas compared to 5 [17.86%] out of 28 women living in urban areas were positive for C. trachomatis. C. trachornatis infection is common in females with cervicitis, 7 [46.7%] out of 15 females with cervicitis had C. trachoinatis infection compared to 31.3% in cervical erosion, 15.4% in females with discharge and 12.5% in females suffering from irritation. We conclude that Although cell culture is more sensilive than DIF, but the difference is statistically insignificant. Cell culture will remain the best choice where medical or legal implications are important, and DIF will probably remain a widely used test for laboratories that process relatively small number of specimens