title: Improved PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by using an altered method of specimen transport and high-quality endocervical specimens.
abstract: Duplicate endocervical swabs were collected for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by PCR (Roche Diagnostics). One swab was swirled in Specimen Transport Medium (Roche) for PCR testing and discarded. A saline aliquot from the other specimen, sent as a dry swab to the laboratory, was Papanicolaou stained to determine specimen adequacy, and the remainder was PCR tested. Significantly more (24%) PCR-positive results (118 versus 95; P < 0.001) were obtained with the dry specimens than with the swirled specimens when first tested. In addition, PCR-positive results were obtained with 107 (10.6%) of 1,007 microscopically adequate specimens but with only 3 (0.9%) of 341 inadequate specimens (P < 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, York Hospital, Pennsylvania 17405, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kellogg
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Seiple
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Klinedinst
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Stroll
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cavanaugh
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*