PCR-Based Hybridization (PCR-SB) Assay for Chlamydia Trachomastis Detection

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is one of the most common sexual transmitted disease (STD) worldwide. C. trachomatis is a causative agent for sterility and ectopic pregnancy. Highly sensitive PCR-based hybridization (PCR-SB) assay has been set up for detection of C. trachomatis infection in both cervical swab and urine samples. A primer pair specific to the C. trachomatis plasmid DNA in clinical samples common to all stereotypes of C. trachomatis was used. This method was validated for its sensitivity as well as specificity. Specificity of the method was confirmed by carrying out a sample dilution curve. The cervical swab samples analysed in the present study were in coded form for validation of the PCR-SB with both, Amplicor C. trachomatis microwell plate (MWP) assay (Roche), and enzyme immunoassay named IDEIA (DAKO, Germany). Both the sensitivity and specificity of PCR-SB were higher than other methods. Thus, this PCR-SB technique could be used for better diagnosis of C. trachomatis infection in comparison to the commercially available ELISA technique.