title: Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections by direct immunofluorescence staining of genital secretions. A multicenter trial.
abstract: Because few clinicians have access to laboratories offering cell culture confirmation of suspected Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections, we evaluated a diagnostic method in which fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies were used to directly identify C. trachomatis elementary bodies in slides made from genital secretions. Compared with culture results, the direct smear had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 96% in 576 men, most of whom had symptoms and signs of urethritis. Among 595 women attending the same clinics, sensitivity of the direct smear for cervical infection was 89% and specificity was 99%. In 225 pregnant women screened in a prenatal or abortion clinic, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 86% and 99% respectively. Direct detection of elementary bodies in genital smears offers an alternative diagnostic approach for C. trachomatis infections.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000382:microbiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D014521:Urethra / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D014526:Urethritis / Q000382:microbiology