Should urine polymerase chain reaction for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis be used as a screening test in women?
Date First Published:
October 13, 2005
Last Updated:
October 17, 2005
Report by:
Fred C Ko, Resident (George Washington University)
Three-Part Question:
In [women] is [N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis PCR on urine samples more sensitive than that of cervical samples] in [detecting gonococcal and chlamydial infection]?
Clinical Scenario:
An asymptomatic 25 year old female requesting for a screening gonorrhea and chlamydia test at a primary care clinic. The patient is actively menstruating and a speculum exam cannot be performed at the time of evaluation.
Search Strategy:
Pubmed 1990-2005
Search Details:
Limit to English Language and Human
(gonorrhea[Text Word] OR gonorrhoea[Text Word] OR "gonorrhea"[MeSH Terms]) AND ("chlamydia"[MeSH Terms] OR ("chlamydia infections"[TIAB] NOT Medline[SB]) OR "chlamydia infections"[MeSH Terms] OR chlamydia[Text Word]) AND ("nucleic acids"[TIAB] NOT Medline[SB]) OR "nucleic acids"[MeSH Terms] OR nucleic acid[Text Word]) AND amplification[All Fields])
(gonorrhea[Text Word] OR gonorrhoea[Text Word] OR "gonorrhea"[MeSH Terms]) AND ("chlamydia"[MeSH Terms] OR ("chlamydia infections"[TIAB] NOT Medline[SB]) OR "chlamydia infections"[MeSH Terms] OR chlamydia[Text Word]) AND ("nucleic acids"[TIAB] NOT Medline[SB]) OR "nucleic acids"[MeSH Terms] OR nucleic acid[Text Word]) AND amplification[All Fields])
Outcome:
52 articles were identified. Only one study was a meta-analysis that assessed the sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid amplification tests for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae of urine and cervical samples in women.
Relevant Paper(s):
| Study Title | Patient Group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcomes | Key results | Study Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematic Review: Noninvasive testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Cook RL, Hutchison SL, Ostergaard L, Braithwaite RS, Ness RB Jun-05 USA | C. trachomatis: 14 studies n = 11,327 |
Meta-analysis | Urine sample PCR | Sensitivity 83.3% (95% CI, 77.7% to 88.9%) | |
| Cervical sample PCR | Sensitivity 85.5% (95% CI, 80.3% to 90.6%) |
Bottom Line:
Urine PCR for N. gonorrhoeae in women has a much lower sensitivity than traditional cervical sampling. Urine PCR should not be used for routine gonorrhea screening if the patient is agreeable to a speculum exam.
Urine PCR for C. trachomatis in women is equal in sensitivity to that of cervical samples and is an adequate screening tool for chlamydia.
Urine PCR for C. trachomatis in women is equal in sensitivity to that of cervical samples and is an adequate screening tool for chlamydia.
References:
- Cook RL, Hutchison SL, Ostergaard L, Braithwaite RS, Ness RB. Systematic Review: Noninvasive testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae