Evaluation of a radioactive rRNA:cDNA-hybridisation assay for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens. Issue 5 (October 1989)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Näher, H; Niebauer, B; Hartmann, M; Söltz-Szöts, J; Petzoldt, D
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 65:Issue 5(1989)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 1989-10
• Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.65.5.319
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : A radioactive cDNA probe complementary to chlamydial ribosomal RNA was used to detect C trachomatis in urogenital specimens. Of 37 specimens positive with cell culture 31 were confirmed by the rRNA:cDNA hybridisation test, the sensitivity being 83.8%. The specificity of the hybridisation test was 94.4%, as 186 of 197 specimens that were negative by cell culture were also negative when assessed by the hybridisation method. Given a prevalence of 15.8% the predictive values for positive and negative results were 73.8% and 96.9%, respectively. In additional experiments the possible role of microorganisms added to the specimen collection medium was investigated. However, no indication for crosshybridisation was found; at high concentrations microorganisms interfered with the test procedure.