Evaluation of a radioactive rRNA:cDNA-hybridisation assay for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens.
A radioactive cDNA probe complementary to chlamydial ribosomal RNA was used to detect C trachomatis in urogenital specimens. Of 37 specimens positive with cell culture 31 were confirmed by the rRNA:cDNA hybridisation test, the sensitivity being 83.8%. The specificity of the hybridisation test was 94.4%, as 186 of 197 specimens that were negative by cell culture were also negative when assessed by the hybridisation method. Given a prevalence of 15.8% the predictive values for positive and negative results were 73.8% and 96.9%, respectively. In additional experiments the possible role of microorganisms added to the specimen collection medium was investigated. However, no indication for crosshybridisation was found; at high concentrations microorganisms interfered with the test procedure.
Näher
H
H
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Niebauer
B
B
Hartmann
M
M
Söltz-Szöts
J
J
Petzoldt
D
D
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004270:DNA, Circular; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014521:Urethra / Q000382:microbiology
D015342:DNA Probes; D004270:DNA, Circular; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal