Sample adequacy in detecting Chlamydia trachomatis.
OBJECTIVE
Chlamydia trachomatis is an important etiological agent in female genital infection and may result in infertility. In recent years rapid diagnostic methods have become widely used as alternatives to cell culture. Our objective was to evaluate the technique of direct fluorescence assay (DFA) in estimating the presence of C. trachomatis.


METHODS
Specimens taken from 40 infertile and 20 fertile women were examined by DFA for the presence of C. trachomatis.


RESULTS
Six of forty (15%) infertile women were found to be positive whereas no positive specimens were detected in the control group. When the specimens were grouped into those which were adequate or inadequate, 19 and five specimens, respectively, were adequate in the infertile and healthy groups. If only adequate specimens are included in estimating the presence of Chlamydia, the percentage is 31.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to use DFA as a more reliable and rapid diagnostic test of C. trachomatis in female genital infection, false-negativity must be eliminated. Specimens must be collected adequately and concentrated in order to achieve optimal diagnostic success.
Rota
S
S
Department of Microbiology, Gazi University Medical School, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
Yildiz
A
A
Kuştimur
S
S
Akbaş
E
E
Günay
A
A
Güner
H
H
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling