Conventional tissue culture compared with rapid immunofluorescence for identifying Chlamydia trachomatis in specimens from patients attending a genitourinary clinic.
Specimens collected from 182 patients with histories suggesting chlamydial disease were examined by conventional culture and direct immunofluorescence techniques. Chlamydia trachomatis was identified by both methods in 57% of all patients. There was no significant difference between the two methods in detecting C trachomatis. Where a tissue culture service is not already established, cost analysis in individual departments may justify the use of the immunofluorescence method.
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male