title: Urinary leukocyte esterase test: a screening method for the detection of asymptomatic chlamydial and gonococcal infections in men.
abstract: The ability of a urinary dipstick leukocyte esterase test (LET) to predict culture-verified asymptomatic urethral infections of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was determined in 1095 men (aged 18-39) who presented to an urban hospital for acute general medical care. Prevalence of chlamydial and gonococcal infections were 4% and 2.5% respectively; LET sensitivity was 41% and specificity was 91%. In the youngest one-third, the prevalence of infection and LET sensitivity and specificity increased to 9%, 58%, and 93%, respectively. Higher inclusion count in chlamydia culture was also significantly correlated with younger age. This is the first study to assess LET performance as a screening test for asymptomatic disease in adult men and suggests that LET has promising accuracy in young men but is less likely to be a useful screening test in men greater than 25 years old.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: McNagny
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zenilman
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000652:urine*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003124:Colorimetry; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: C021443:leukocyte esterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases