A novel gel-based method for self-collection and ambient temperature postal transport of urine for PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a novel urine transport method to be used in self-collection-based screening for Chlamydia trachomatis. The method needed to be suitable for C trachomatis PCR detection, be economical and suitable for transport by standard envelope mailing.


METHODS
An anhydrous gel composed of super-absorbent polymer and buffering agent was used to desiccate urine into a dry granulous state, which could subsequently be reconstituted upon arrival at a laboratory. DNA was then extracted from the reconstituted solution using the Roche MagNA Pure protocol for the detection of C trachomatis by PCR. Collections of urine specimens from three populations with widely differing chlamydia prevalence (100%,n = 56; 47%, n = 70; 3%, n = 97) were used. We determined the gel method's impact on C trachomatis PCR sensitivity and specificity using neat and gel-processed urine specimens. An equine herpes virus PCR was used to test for assay inhibition.


RESULTS
Overall, the sensitivity of the gel-based method ranged from 94.6-100% compared with neat urine, with a specificity of 100%. No PCR inhibition or decrease in analytical sensitivity was observed using the gel-processed extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
The gel-based method was found to be suitable for the detection of C trachomatis by PCR. In addition, its ease of use, effectiveness at ambient temperature and low cost makes it well-suited for self-collection kits used in population-based C trachomatis screening, particularly for geographically and socially isolated individuals.
Bialasiewicz
S
S
Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Royal Children's Hospital and Health Service District, University of Queensland, Clinical Medical Virology Centre, Queensland, Australia. seweryn@uq.edu.au
Whiley
D M
DM
Buhrer-Skinner
M
M
Bautista
C
C
Barker
K
K
Aitken
S
S
Gordon
R
R
Muller
R
R
Lambert
S B
SB
Debattista
J
J
Nissen
M D
MD
Sloots
T P
TP
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005782:Gels; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic