INFLUENCE OF VOLUME OF SAMPLE PROCESSED ON DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN UROGENITAL SAMPLES BY PCR

In the present study, it was demonstrated that the sensitivity of the PCR for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis is influenced by the vo lume of the clinical sample which is processed in the PCR. An adequate sensitivity for PCR was established by processing at least 4%, i.e., 80 mu l, of the clinical sample volume per PCR. By using this preparat ion procedure, 1,110 clinical samples were evaluated by PCR and by cel l culture, and results were compared. After discordant analysis, cell culture resulted in a sensitivity of 79.1% and PCR resulted in a sensi tivity of 92.7%. Furthermore, it was shown that treatment with antibio tics immediately resulted in negative cell culture results but that PC R could give positive results up to 2 weeks posttreatment.