DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN THE URINE OF YOUNG NORWEGIAN MALES BY ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY

First-void urine samples from 392 Norwegian military conscripts were i nvestigated for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) on day 1 and day 5 after collection. Positive samples were subsequently investigated by direct immunofluorescence (IF) microscop y for the presence of chlamydial elementary bodies (EBs) in the urine pellet, and urethral swab material taken from the EIA-positive individ uals was cultured. 4.8 % (19/392) of the urine samples were EIA-positi ve on day 1, and 5.4 % (21/392) were positive on day 5, with a combine d total of 6.6 % (26/392). Twenty-four of the 26 urine samples were co nfirmed as positive on IF microscopy. Urethral swabs were taken from 2 1 EIA-positive individuals. Six of the swabs were positive on cell cul ture, whereas nine were positive on IF microscopy of swab material, su ggesting that these techniques perform better in symptomatic cases tha n in male Chlamydia trachomatis carriers. In the urine samples a notab le discrepancy in EIA results was seen when the same refrigerated samp les were retested on day 5 compared to day 1. This discrepancy was pro bably due to storage-related factors.