Pooling Urine Samples for Ligase Chain Reaction Screening for Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Asymptomatic Women

摘要: The accuracy of pooling urine samples for the detection genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection by ligase chain reaction (LCR) was examined. A model also developed to determine number be pooled optimal cost savings at various population prevalences. Estimated costs included technician time, laboratory consumables, and assay testing retesting individual specimens from presumptive positive pools. Estimation prevalence based on LCR results applied. After were processed, 568 4 into 142 pools another 520 10 52 For comparison, all 1,088 tested individually. sample-to-cut-off ratio lowered 1.0 0.2 samples, after a pilot study which 148 conducted. algorithm 100% (48 48) sensitive when 98.4% (61 62) 10. Although 2.0% (2 99) negative 7.1% (1 14) positive, in these presumptive-positive retested individually, making specific. In with 8% C. prevalence, four would reduce 39%. demonstrated that lower 2%, eight 59%. Pooling is sensitive, specific, saving compared samples.