OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a newly developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, Amplicor C trachomatis for the detection of C trachomatis in genital samples using cell culture for comparison. SUBJECTS: 501 patients (431 women and 70 men) attending an STD clinic in Hôpital Pellegrin (high-risk population) and gynaecological clinics (low-risk population) in Bordeaux, France. METHODS: The genital samples (cervical and urethral) were tested for the presence of C trachomatis using the Amplicor test and using standard cell culture identified by the immunofluorescence test using a monoclonal antibody to C trachomatis. Discrepancies between the results of culture and Amplicor were further analysed by major outer membrane protein gene (omp1)-PCR of the specimens taken in transport media and by direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining of elementary bodies in culture transport tubes. RESULTS: After analysis of discrepancies, the revised sensitivity and specificity of PCR were 95.3% and 100% and the positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 99.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that the Amplicor assay is rapid, specific and more sensitive than the culture method. This test provides an excellent non-culture method for the detection of C trachomatis in various prevalence populations.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a newly developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, Amplicor C trachomatis for the detection of C trachomatis in genital samples using cell culture for comparison. SUBJECTS: 501 patients (431 women and 70 men) attending an STD clinic in Hôpital Pellegrin (high-risk population) and gynaecological clinics (low-risk population) in Bordeaux, France. METHODS: The genital samples (cervical and urethral) were tested for the presence of C trachomatis using the Amplicor test and using standard cell culture identified by the immunofluorescence test using a monoclonal antibody to C trachomatis. Discrepancies between the results of culture and Amplicor were further analysed by major outer membrane protein gene (omp1)-PCR of the specimens taken in transport media and by direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining of elementary bodies in culture transport tubes. RESULTS: After analysis of discrepancies, the revised sensitivity and specificity of PCR were 95.3% and 100% and the positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 99.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that the Amplicor assay is rapid, specific and more sensitive than the culture method. This test provides an excellent non-culture method for the detection of C trachomatis in various prevalence populations.
Authors: J A Kluytmans; H G Niesters; J W Mouton; W G Quint; J A Ijpelaar; J H Van Rijsoort-Vos; L Habbema; E Stolz; M F Michel; J H Wagenvoort Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1991-12 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: M J Loeffelholz; C A Lewinski; S R Silver; A P Purohit; S A Herman; D A Buonagurio; E A Dragon Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1992-11 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: H C Claas; J H Wagenvoort; H G Niesters; T T Tio; J H Van Rijsoort-Vos; W G Quint Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1991-01 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: G J van Doornum; M Buimer; M Prins; C J Henquet; R A Coutinho; P K Plier; S Tomazic-Allen; H Hu; H Lee Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1995-08 Impact factor: 5.948