title: The molecular diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum: evaluation of a real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction test using rectal and urethral specimens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of a real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) assay to differentiate between trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) biovars of Chlamydia trachomatis and to validate its performance with the conventional genotyping method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Swab specimens from 115 patients with anorectal symptoms or syndromes associated with LGV were tested by a real-time M-PCR assay and the results compared with the PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the major outer membrane protein gene (omp1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A high agreement of 96.5% (111 of 115 specimens) was found between the real-time M-PCR testing and the standard genotyping method for the detection of C. trachomatis DNA (kappa value, 0.945, P <0.00001). Both methods identified 53 LGV, 32 non-LGV C. trachomatis, and 26 negative specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The real-time M-PCR assay simultaneously detects and differentiates LGV from non-LGV strains using swab specimens. This assay offers a relatively rapid and sensitive alternative for the diagnosis of LGV infection and is a useful tool for screening and for outbreak investigations.
authors.affiliation: Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. cyc1@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Cheng-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kai-Hua
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Iona M C
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Hsi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Cathy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ison
authors.forename: Ronald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ballard
mesh_terms: D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014521:Urethra / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial