Transcript Chlamydia trachomatis testing

Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology “Georgi D. Efremov”, MASA
Chlamydia trachomatis testing
What is Chlamydia trachomatis?
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), a small gram-negative
bacterium, is the most common cause of bacterial sexually
transmitted disease in both men and women. A significant
proportion of infected patients are asymptomatic,
providing an ongoing reservoir for infection. The most
frequent clinical manifestation of CT infection in men is
urethritis, while the most common finding in women is
cervicitis.
How can you get Chlamydia
trachomatis?
People of all ages and both sexes can get CT. However,
having sexual relations with several partners without using
protection can greatly increase your chance of getting the
disease.
In addition, men and women under the age of 25 tend to
have a higher risk of being infected. Additionally,
pregnant women can pass the bacteria to their babies
when they are born. If you are pregnant and there is a
chance you have CT, you should ask to be tested.
What are the symptoms of Chlamydia
trachomatis?
Urine sample in sterile tubes.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA).
This quick test finds substances (CT antibodies) that trigger
the immune system to fight chlamydia infection.
Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA). This quick test
finds CT antigens.
Chlamydia culture. A culture is a special cup that allows the
chlamydia bacteria to grow. This test is more expensive, and
the results take longer (5 to 7 days) than the other tests. The
culture must be done in a lab.
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). These tests find
the genetic material (DNA) of Chlamydia trachomatis. These
tests are the most sensitive tests available. That means they
are very accurate and that they are very unlikely to have false
positive test results. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is
an example of a nucleic acid amplification test. This test can
also be done on a urine sample.
Analysis method performed at RCGEB
Chlamydia trachomatis diagnosis at RCGEB is performed by
commercial AMPLICOR Chlamydia trachomatis detection kit
(Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Pleasanton, California, USA),
which detect the DNA of the bacterium.
Who should be tested?
Many patients do not notice the symptoms of infection
with CT. If symptoms do appear, it is usually one to three
weeks after you have been infected. Some of the most
common symptoms include: burning feeling during
urination, discharge from the penis or vagina, pain in the
lower abdomen, painful sexual intercourse in women,
pain in the testicles in men.
In some women, the CT infection can spread to the
fallopian tubes, which may cause fever, nausea, and
abnormal bleeding between periods.
Some patients get CT infection in the rectum, in which
case the main symptoms are often discharge, pain,
and bleeding from this area.
If you have had oral sex with someone who has CT
infection, you may get this infection in your throat, which
can lead to painful swallowing, a cough and a fever.
Material for testing
How is Chlamydia trachomatis
diagnosed?
 Women with mucopurulent cervicitis (defined as a
purulent or mucopurulent cervical discharge, easily
induced cervical bleeding, and sometimes inflammation in
the zone of ectopy), pelvic inflammatory disease, and/or
urethral syndrome (defined as acute dysuria and pyuria in
the absence of bacteriuria).
 Sexually active women aged 25 years and under.
 Women over 25 with a new sex partner or more than one
sex partner.
 Pregnant women.
 Sex partners of persons with CT infection.
 Men with urethritis or epididymitis.
 Young sexually active men (aged 29 years and under)
seeking routine health care should be evaluated for
asymptomatic CT infection. Patient reporting receptive
anal sex should be tested for rectal chlamydial infection.
CT test performed at RCGEB
CT assay
CT DNA PCR detection
Price (МКД)
3500
Literature:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta, Ga, USA: Department of Health and Human Services; 2009. Sexually transmitted
disease surveillance, 2010. Tech. Rep.
RCGEB, 2013