Researchers conducted this study to identify and evaluate advantages and disadvantages of a near-patient test (NPT) for Chlamydia trachomatis, using Clearview Chlamydia MF (Unipath Ltd) in a British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic.
The improved Clearview Chlamydia MF test was used to test endocervical swabs from 400 women attending the BPAS clinic to terminate the pregnancy. The results were compared with Ligase Chain Reaction (LCR), using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as the judge.
Twenty-seven women tested positive by Clearview Chlamydia MF (24 confirmed by LCR) and 32 by LCR.
Comment NPT has potential advantages in specific situations where a quick result is required to optimal those testing positive. However, the current technology available for detecting Chlamydial infection results in time constraints, which limited its benefits in this study, where there was a high throughput of clients.
Clearview Chlamydia MF missed a significant number of cases. However, the sensitivity found within the ranges reported for various enzyme immunoassays (EIA) is currently the most commonly used testing method.
The study confirmed the high positivity in those attending for termination, especially in under 25-year-olds.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/27/3/127
