The usefulness of screening for chlamydial trachomatis infection with cervical mucus leukocyte esterase.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of leukocyte esterase dipstick test (LET) performed in cervical mucus to predict direct immunofluorescent (DIF)-verified Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) cervical infection.


METHODS
Eighty women with inflammatory cervico-vaginal smear were submitted to both an endocervical smear, to verify Ct cervicitis by DIF technique; and a cervical mucus sample to perform LET. Results of LET and DIF were matched.


RESULTS
Among 30 Chlamydial positive subjects, cervical mucus esterase test was positive in 28 (93.3%); while among 50 Chlamydial negative controls, esterase test was negative in 43 subject (86%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for LET were 93.3%, 86%, 80% and 95% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical mucus LET is a simple, cost effective screening test, with promising accuracy, for Ct cervical infection among women with inflammatory cervico-vaginal smears.
el-Shourbagy
M
M
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.
Diab
K M
KM
Abdalla
M Y
MY
el-Salam
M A
MA
Mohasb
S H
SH
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000201:enzymology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D015415:Biomarkers; C021443:leukocyte esterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases