Pooling of clinical specimens prior to testing for Chlamydia trachomatis by PCR is accurate and cost saving.
The accuracy and cost savings of pooling specimens prior to testing for Chlamydia trachomatis by PCR were evaluated with genital and urine specimens (n = 2,600). There was a 60% reduction in tests without significant loss of accuracy. The efficiency of pooling vaginal swabs is demonstrated for the first time.
Currie
Marian J
MJ
ACT Pathology, The Canberra Hospital, Woden ACT, Australia. marian.currie@act.gov.au
McNiven
Michelle
M
Yee
Tracey
T
Schiemer
Ursula
U
Bowden
Francis J
FJ
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017046:Cost Savings; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology