The usefulness of screening for chlamydial trachomatis infection with cervical mucus leukocyte esterase.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of leukocyte esterase dipstick test (LET) performed in cervical mucus to predict direct immunofluorescent (DIF)-verified Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) cervical infection.

METHOD: Eighty women with inflammatory cervico-vaginal smear were submitted to both an endocervical smear, to verify Ct cervicitis by DIF technique; and a cervical mucus sample to perform LET. Results of LET and DIF were matched.

RESULTS

Among 30 Chlamydial positive subjects, cervical mucus esterase test was positive in 28 (93.3%); while among 50 Chlamydial negative controls, esterase test was negative in 43 subject (86%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for LET were 93.3%, 86%, 80% and 95% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Cervical mucus LET is a simple, cost effective screening test, with promising accuracy, for Ct cervical infection among women with inflammatory cervico-vaginal smears.