Self-taken pharyngeal and rectal swabs are appropriate for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in asymptomatic men who have sex with men
Alexander , S., Ison , C., Parry , J., Llewellyn , C., Wayal , S., Richardson , D., Phillips , A., Smith, H. and Fisher, M. (2008) Self-taken pharyngeal and rectal swabs are appropriate for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in asymptomatic men who have sex with men. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 84, (6), 488-492. (doi:10.1136/sti.2008.031443 ). (PMID:19028953).
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Description/Abstract
Introduction: Self-taken specimens from men who have sex with men (MSM) could be important in reducing high levels of demand on sexual health services. The performance of self-taken specimens for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) from both pharyngeal and rectal sites in asymptomatic MSM was assessed.
Methods: MSM were examined according to clinic protocol: a rectal and pharyngeal swab for GC culture and a rectal swab for the CT strand displacement assay. An extra set of nurse-taken and self-taken pharyngeal and rectal specimens were also requested and were tested using the Aptima Combo 2 assay and the result compared with the routine clinic result, which was considered the gold standard.
Results: A total of 272 MSM was recruited and the sensitivity and specificity of nurse-taken and patient-taken swabs, respectively, was as follows: rectal GC: 94.9% and 90.1% (nurse); 92.3% and 87.9% (patient); pharyngeal GC: 88.2% and 91.8% (nurse); 100% and 87.8% (patient); rectal CT: 80.0% and 99.6% (nurse); 91.4% and 98.2% (patient). No significant difference in sensitivity or specificity was observed between the nurse-taken and the patient-taken rectal swabs for either GC or CT. For the detection of GC from the pharynx, comparable sensitivities were achieved between nurse-taken and patient-taken swabs (p = 0.5); however, a significant difference in specificity was observed (p = 0.006). This was due to a higher number of false GC-positive self-taken pharyngeal swabs from patients with high rates (90.9%; 10/11) of confirmed concurrent GC infection in different anatomical sites.
Conclusions: MSM are able to collect self-taken rectal and pharyngeal swabs that are comparable to those taken by clinicians.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 1368-4973 (print) |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Health Sciences |
| Item ID: | 187353 |
| Date Deposited: | 17 May 2011 13:53 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2011 07:59 |
| Contributors: | Alexander , S. (Author) Ison , C. (Author) Parry , J. (Author) Llewellyn , C. (Author) Wayal , S. (Author) Richardson , D. (Author) Phillips , A. (Author) Smith, H. (Author) Fisher, M. (Author) |
| Date: | November 2008 |
| Status: | Published |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/187353 |
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