OBJECTIVES: The enhanced sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) provides an opportunity for estimating the prevalence of untreated Chlamydia trachomatis infections. The transmissibility and public health significance of some NAAT-identified infections are, however, not known. METHODS: Adults attending an urban emergency department provided specimens for C trachomatis screening using NAAT. Participants testing positive were offered follow-up including re-testing for C trachomatis using NAAT and traditional methods, eg culture and direct fluorescent antibody, and were treated. Partners were offered identical evaluation and treatment. Overall, 90 C trachomatis-positive participants had one or more sexual partners enrolled. RESULTS: Evidence of transmission, as defined by infection concordance between partnerships, was observed among 75% of partners of index cases testing positive by both NAAT and traditional assay but only 45% of partners of index cases testing positive by NAAT only (prevalence ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5). Among index participants returning for follow-up, 17% had no evidence of C trachomatis infection by NAAT or traditional assay (median follow-up three weeks). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of positive NAAT results for chlamydial infection may be of lower transmissibility and may not persist after a short follow-up. The long-term health effects of some positive NAAT are uncertain.
OBJECTIVES: The enhanced sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) provides an opportunity for estimating the prevalence of untreated Chlamydia trachomatis infections. The transmissibility and public health significance of some NAAT-identified infections are, however, not known. METHODS: Adults attending an urban emergency department provided specimens for C trachomatis screening using NAAT. Participants testing positive were offered follow-up including re-testing for C trachomatis using NAAT and traditional methods, eg culture and direct fluorescent antibody, and were treated. Partners were offered identical evaluation and treatment. Overall, 90 C trachomatis-positive participants had one or more sexual partners enrolled. RESULTS: Evidence of transmission, as defined by infection concordance between partnerships, was observed among 75% of partners of index cases testing positive by both NAAT and traditional assay but only 45% of partners of index cases testing positive by NAAT only (prevalence ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5). Among index participants returning for follow-up, 17% had no evidence of C trachomatis infection by NAAT or traditional assay (median follow-up three weeks). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of positive NAAT results for chlamydial infection may be of lower transmissibility and may not persist after a short follow-up. The long-term health effects of some positive NAAT are uncertain.
Authors: Julia A Schillinger; Barry P Katz; Lauri E Markowitz; Phillip G Braslins; Lydia A Shrier; Guillermo Madico; Barbara Van Der Pol; Donald P Orr; Peter A Rice; Byron E Batteiger Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2016-12 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Jennifer Walker; Sepehr N Tabrizi; Christopher K Fairley; Marcus Y Chen; Catriona S Bradshaw; Jimmy Twin; Nicole Taylor; Basil Donovan; John M Kaldor; Kathleen McNamee; Eve Urban; Sandra Walker; Marian Currie; Hudson Birden; Francis Bowden; Jane Gunn; Marie Pirotta; Lyle Gurrin; Veerakathy Harindra; Suzanne M Garland; Jane S Hocking Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-05-25 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Susan M Rogers; Charles F Turner; William C Miller; Emily Erbelding; Elizabeth Eggleston; Sylvia Tan; Anthony Roman; Marcia Hobbs; James Chromy; Ravikiran Muvva; Laxminarayana Ganapathi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-02-19 Impact factor: 3.240