Clinical evaluation of two immunoassay methods for the rapid detection of chlamydia trachomatis: antigen in endocervical specimens from high risk female patients.

Two rapid immunoassay methods, QuickVue-Chlamydia (Quidel Corp., San Diego California) and Kodak Surecell (Kodak Corp. Rochester, N.Y.) were evaluated for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen in endocervical swabs from high risk females attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. The results were compared to McCoy cell culture and a polymerase chain reaction assay (Amplicor(R)-PCR, Roche Molecular Systems). Of the 240 females enrolled in the study 45 were considered infected (18.8%). Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of a positive (PVP) and predictive value of a negative (PVN) of the QuickVue-Chlamydia assay were 96%, 99%, 96% and 99% respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PVP and PVN of the Surecell assay were 96%, 100%, 100% and 99% respectively. The performance of the two immunoassay methods was similar, the sensitivity was the same and the specificity of the Kodak Surecell was slightly better than that of the QuickVue. On the other hand, the QuickWVL-Chlamydia assay was considerably simpler to perform (fewer steps) than the Kodak Surecell assay and took significantly less of technologists time.