title: From the NIH: proceedings of a workshop on the importance of self-obtained vaginal specimens for detection of sexually transmitted infections.
abstract: On June 27, 2006, the NIH conducted a workshop to review published data and current field practices supporting the use of self-obtained vaginal swabs (SOVs) as specimens for diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The workshop also explored the design of studies that could support FDA clearance of SOVs for STI testing, particularly for specimens collected in nonclinical settings including patients' homes. This report summarizes the workshop findings and recommendations. Participants concluded that self-obtained vaginal swabs are well accepted by women of all ages and that SOVs perform as well as or better than other specimen types for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae detection using transcription-mediated amplification. In addition, workshop participants recommended the validation of SOV testing by public health practitioners and manufacturers of STI diagnostic tests to expedite incorporation of SOVs as a diagnostic option in clinical and nonclinical settings for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing. Similarly, SOVs should be explored for use in the diagnosis of other sexually transmitted pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. mmhobbs@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van der Pol
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Totten
authors.forename: Charlotte A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gaydos
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Winer
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Carolyn D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Deal
authors.forename: M Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schachter
authors.forename: King K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012648:Self Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*