Comparison of rapid diagnostic methodologies for Chlamydia and gonorrhea in an urban adolescent population: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a combination DNA probe test which detects both N. gonorrhoeae (GC) and C. trachomatis (CT) to the current culture methodologies among a population of female adolescents at an urban teaching center. In addition, the probe test for CT was compared to a direct immunofluorescence test.


METHODS
All sexually active female adolescents between the ages of 13-21 years who sought care at an urban teaching center from June 1991 through November 1991 and who required testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were recruited for this study.


RESULTS
The probe test was demonstrated to be 66.6% sensitive and 94.9% specific when compared to tissue culture for CT and 50% sensitive and 98.2% specific when compared to culture for GC. We found an overall prevalence of 23.5% for CT and 3.5% for GC.


CONCLUSIONS
The two rapid diagnostic tests for CT evaluated in this study demonstrated similar sensitivities. However the probe test offers advantages in that it is easier to perform, skill at reading fluorescence is not required, and one specimen yields results for both CT and GC.
Bryant
D K
DK
Division of Virology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Fox
A S
AS
Spigland
I
I
Childers
E
E
Motyl
M
M
Rosenfeld
W D
WD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014505:Urban Population
D015342:DNA Probes