[Comparison of polymerase chain reaction and ELISA in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection].
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most frequent cause of sexually transmitted disease in the western world. However, only a few cases have been reported from Israel. Because of the frequent absence of symptoms, its high prevalence, rapid spread, and the seriousness of complications, the quality of the diagnostic test for this microorganism is very important. Cell culture has always been regarded as the "gold standard" in diagnosis. However, factors such as collection, transport time and storage can negatively influence the sensitivity of culturing. We evaluated a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (Amplicor CT, Roche Molecular Systems) for the detection of CT. CT-PCR was compared with a non-culture method (ELISA) in cervical, urethral and first-void urine specimens in 30 patients attending our sexually transmitted disease clinic. There were 16 males and 14 females; in 16 of them (53%) CT-PCR was positive. However, in only 6 of the latter (38%) was CT-ELISA also positive. 7 urine specimens from males with non-specific urethritis had a positive CT-PCR and a negative CT-ELISA. There were discrepancies between ELISA and the PCR test in 10 (3 females) of the 30. We confirm other studies indicating the PCR to be a highly sensitive assay for detecting CT infection from urogenital specimens. CT-PCR from first-void urine provides a noninvasive technique for routine screening of CT infection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic males and females.
Srugo
I
I
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa.
Gershtein
R
R
Tal
J
J
Nativ
O
O
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014526:Urethritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology