A comparison of three rapid chlamydial tests in pregnant and nonpregnant women

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the performance characteristics of three rapid immunoassay tests to detect Chlamydia trachomatis cervicitis.

Methods: Endocervical samples from 506 women were evaluated using the three rapid immunoassay tests and the results were compared with those obtained by an endocervical chlamydial culture.

Results: The prevalence of C trachomatis cervicitis was 9.3%. Overall sensitivity and specificity of the Abbott TestPack Chlamydia test were 66.0% and 99.8%, respectively, of the Kodak Surecell Chlamydia test were 85.1% and 99.3%, respectively, and of the Unipath Clearview Chlamydia test were 85.1% and 98.5%, respectively. Pregnancy did not affect test specificity, but did influence sensitivity. The tests ranged from 5% to 22% less sensitive in nonpregnant women.

Conclusions: The results of the investigation establish that the Clearview and Surecell chlamydial immunoassay tests performed well, particularly for pregnant women.