EVALUATION OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION TEST FOR DETECTING CHLAMYDIAL DNA IN ADULT CHLAMYDIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

Purpose: A new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (Amplicor, Diagnos tics, Branchburg, NJ) was evaluated for its ability to detect chlamydi al DNA from previously obtained adult conjunctival specimens. Methods: The sensitivity of this PCR test was determined on 42 adult conjuncti val specimens that were culture-positive for Chlamydia. The specificit y was determined by testing 40 true-negative specimens that included 1 0 normal conjunctival samples and 20 ocular specimens that were cultur e-positive for herpes simplex virus or adenovirus. The remaining ten s amples consisted of ocular bacterial pathogens in chlamydial transport media. Results: Amplicor was 88% (37/42) sensitive and 100% (40/40) s pecific. Conclusions: The authors conclude that PCR testing for chlamy dial DNA from ocular specimens may be useful, especially when conditio ns in transport might reduce the yield of positive cultures.