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Comparison of two enzyme immunoassays and an immunofluorescence test for detection ofChlamydia trachomatis

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Abstract

Three rapid methods for the detection ofChlamydia trachomatiswere compared: one immunofluorescence test and two enzyme immunoassays. Cervical and urethral specimens were obtained from 75 women in an outpatient clinic for therapeutic abortions and from 50 women in a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Urethral specimens were also obtained from 154 men in the same clinic. One hundred and nineteen cervical and 272 urethral specimens of a total 391 specimens were tested by the three methods. The direct immunofluorescence test detectedChlamydia trachomatisin 8 % and the two enzyme immunoassays in 10 % and 12 % of the patients. The sensitivity of the immunofluorescence test was 76 % compared to 91 % and 80 % for the two enzyme immunoassay tests. All three tests had a specificity of 99 %. Dilution experiments confirmed that one immunoassay test, Chlamydiazyme, detected most of the positive specimens. The rapid and easily automated enzyme immunoassays are a valuable complement to the culture technique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Section of Virology, Karolinska Hospital, 104 01, Stockholm, Sweden

    L. Grillner

  2. Department of Dermatology, Karolinska Hospital, 104 01, Stockholm, Sweden

    S. Beckman & H. Hammar

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  1. L. Grillner
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  2. S. Beckman
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  3. H. Hammar
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Grillner, L., Beckman, S. & Hammar, H. Comparison of two enzyme immunoassays and an immunofluorescence test for detection ofChlamydia trachomatis . Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 5, 559–562 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017705

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017705

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