title: A novel gel-based method for self-collection and ambient temperature postal transport of urine for PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bialasiewicz
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Whiley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buhrer-Skinner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Debattista
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Sloots
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005782:Gels; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic