Pooling of urine specimens for detection of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections by PCR in a low-prevalence population: cost-saving strategy for epidemiological studies and screening programs.
Pooling, in groups of five, of urine specimens from asymptomatically infected men in a population with 4% prevalence, as determined by case finding, is 100% sensitive and specific and results in a 60.5% reduction in the number of tests needed. Pooling of urine specimens in groups of 10 for the estimation of population-based prevalence is 96.1% sensitive and 100% specific and saves 90% of the test costs.
Morré
S A
SA
Department of Pathology, Section of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Meijer
C J
CJ
Munk
C
C
Krüger-Kjaer
S
S
Winther
J F
JF
Jørgensens
H O
HO
van Den Brule
A J
AJ
D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017046:Cost Savings; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology*