Evaluation of self-taken samples for the presence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women using the ligase chain reaction assay

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and acceptability of self-taken vulval-introital (VI) samples, first-catch urine (FCU) samples a nd clinician-obtained cervical samples for the presence of genital Chlamydi a trachomatis infections in women using the ligase chain reaction (LCR) ass ay. One hundred and four patients were enrolled, of whom 54 patients had ch lamydial DNA in at least one of the samples tested. The sensitivity of the cervical sample was 96.3%, vulval-introital sample in LCR buffer 92.6%, vul val-introital swab collected dry 88.9%, FCU stored at +2-8 degrees C 81.5%, FCU stored at roam temperature 77.8% and FCU stored with 2% w/v boric acid at room temperature 87.0%. Self-taken vulval-introital LCR samples were shown to be an acceptable alte rnative to a clinician-obtained LCR sample. The addition of boric acid may overcome the need for a continuous cold chain for FCU samples.