COMPARISON OF THE SANOFI DIAGNOSTICS PASTEUR CHLAMYDIA MICROPLATE EIASHORTENED ASSAY WITH THE ORIGINAL STANDARD ASSAY AND CELL-CULTURE

The new Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Chlamydia Microplate EIA shortened assay was evaluated- by comparison with the original standard assay an d cell culture, A total of 853 paired male and female genital tract sp ecimens was tested with both Sanofi Chlamydia Microplate EIA shortened and standard assays and the results were compared with those of cell culture, For confirmation, a blocking assay run in the shortened forma t was used, Discrepancies between the three methods were resolved by a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test on the EIA samples or the cult ure retentate, or both, After resolution of discrepant results, the st andard assay had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 98.5%, 100%, 100% and 99.9%, respect ively, The shortened assay results were 100%, 100%, 100% and 100%, res pectively, The shortened assay takes approximately 1.5 h less time tha n the standard assay and this study demonstrated that they have equiva lent sensitivity and specificity. The improvement in turnaround time e nables results to be reported on the same day.