Reduced sensitivity from pooled urine, pharyngeal and rectal specimens when using a molecular assay for the detection of chlamydia and gonorrhoea near the point of care

Steven G. Badman, Sara F. E. Bell, Judith A. Dean, Jime Lemoire, Luke Coffey, Joseph Debattista, Andrew M. Redmond, Owain D. Williams, Charles F. Gilks, David M. Whiley When screening at-risk populations for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, pooling of individual urogenital, pharyngeal and anorectal specimens into one specimen near the point of care (POC) is feasible, offers potential cost and time savings, and is pertinent for low resource settings and screening programs. However, some reduction in diagnostic sensitivity of pooled specimens was observed in this study. A laboratory experiment conducted by us suggests this sensitivity may be improved by reducing the volume of urine used in the pooling method.

Source: Sexual Health - January 16, 2020 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Steven G. Badman Sara F. E. Bell Judith A. Dean Jime Lemoire Luke Coffey Joseph Debattista Andrew M. Redmond Owain D. Williams Charles F. Gilks David M. Whiley Source Type: research