title: Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical specimens by polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: A rapid and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in cervical specimens is described. This assay consists of (i) sample preparation which avoids the use of heat, centrifugation, or organic extractions; (ii) rapid, two-temperature PCR amplification of C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid sequences; and (iii) capture and colorimetric detection of amplified DNA in microwell plates. PCR was compared with culture by using 503 cervical specimens. After resolution of discrepant specimens with a confirmatory PCR assay directed against the chlamydial major outer membrane protein gene, PCR had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 99.7% while culture had a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 100%. In a separate study, PCR was compared with a direct specimen enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme; Abbott Diagnostics) by using 375 cervical specimens. After resolution of discrepant specimens, PCR had a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, while the enzyme immunoassay had a sensitivity of 58.8% and a specificity of 100%.
authors.affiliation: Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, New Jersey 08876-1760.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Loeffelholz
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lewinski
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Purohit
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Buonagurio
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dragon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001483:Base Sequence; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial