Reduced detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by the ligase chain reaction assay due to suboptimal storage of urine.
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by the ligase chain reaction assay was assessed in urine samples that had been stored at 4 degrees C and at ambient temperature for 6-10 days before testing. Six of 67 (9%) ligase chain reaction-positive urine samples stored at 4 degrees C and 5 of 29 (17%) stored at ambient temperature became negative, a difference that is not statistically significant. Most of the urine samples that were negative after storage contained a small number of chlamydial elementary bodies, and almost three-quarters of them were from women. Optimal pretest storage conditions for urine samples should be maintained if the maximum benefit is to be obtained from this highly sensitive assay.
Thomas
B
B
Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's, Paddington, London, UK.
Pierpoint
T
T
Taylor-Robinson
D
D
Renton
A
A
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022521:Ligase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013696:Temperature; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology*