Validation of COBAS Taqman CT for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in vulvo-vaginal swabs. Issue 4 (27th February 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Skidmore, S; Kaye, M; Bayliss, D; Devendra, S
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 84:Issue 4(2008)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2008-02-27
• Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.2007.029587
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Vulvo-vaginal swabs (VVSs) are not validated for use by the manufacturers of two widely used nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis . However, there is evidence that this type of swab is suitable for diagnosis. Objective: To validate the Cobas Taqman CT assay for the detection of C trachomatis in VVS. Method: Women aged 18–24 years attending a genitourinary medicine clinic were invited to take part in the study. Participants provided a self-taken VVS and the results obtained with these samples were compared with those obtained with an endocervical swab collected by a healthcare worker. A total of 267 women took part. Results: 255/267 (96%; 95% CI 92 to 98%) sets of samples gave concordant results. 12/267 (4.5%) VVSs were invalid/inhibitory and so no result was available for these samples. This compared with 2/267 (0.7%) for endocervical swabs. Conclusion: VVS are suitable samples for detecting C trachomatis .