ABSTRACT
The performances of a commercial nucleic acid hybridization test (Gen-Probe Pace 2 Chlamydia trachomatis) and two commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) (Abbott Chlamydiazyme and Pharmacia Chlamydia EIA) were evaluated against cell culture for the detection of C. trachomatis infection, with cervical swabs obtained from 1,037 women visiting a public sexual health center. The positivity rate by cell culture was 4.7%. Sensitivity and specificity for each test were as follows: Gen-Probe, 95.8 and 98.3%; Chlamydiazyme, 80.4 and 99.3%; Pharmacia EIA, 80.8 and 99.1%. Analysis of discrepant results with probe confirmation assay (Gen-Probe) and direct immunofluorescence (Syva Microtrak) revealed 12 cases of C. trachomatis infection for which culture was negative, resulting in the definition of a true-positive case as opposed to a culture positive. The positivity rate by true-positive definition was 5.9%, and sensitivity and specificity for each test were as follows: Gen-Probe, 96.7 and 99.6%; Chlamydiazyme, 77.5 and 100%; Pharmacia EIA, 77.0 and 100%; cell culture, 80.0 and 100%. We conclude that the Gen-Probe Pace 2 C. trachomatis test is a sensitive and specific alternative to cell culture for the detection of C. trachomatis.
Subject(s)
Bacteriological Techniques , Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis , Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification , Chlamydia trachomatis/enzymology , Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics , Diagnostic Errors , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques/statistics & numerical data , Molecular Probe Techniques/statistics & numerical data , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
A cytobrush was compared with a cotton-tipped aluminium shafted swab for the collection of 2024 paired endocervical specimens for the culture of Chlamydia trachomatis. There was no significant advantage with the use of either device with respect to the number of positive specimens detected or the number of inclusions present in positive specimens. However, the use of cytobrushes resulted in an increased level of cervical bleeding and increased collection of cervical mucus resulting in difficulties in the handling of laboratory specimens.
Subject(s)
Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification , Specimen Handling/methods , Vaginal Smears/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Bacteriological Techniques , Female , Gossypium , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The Victorian refugee screening programme, in contrast to similar programmes elsewhere in Australia, includes an examination for faecal parasites. The results of such screening at Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital for the 16-month period December 1, 1984-March 31, 1986 are presented. For most of the population groups that were studied, there was a high prevalence of intestinal parasites, which often warranted treatment. Additionally, marked differences were noted among the nationalities in the range of parasites that was detected. This information is of particular importance for those who are delivering health services to members of these different ethnic communities, especially in other states where screening is less comprehensive.
