Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction test for detecting chlamydial DNA in adult chlamydial conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: A new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (Amplicor, Diagnostics, Branchburg, NJ) was evaluated for its ability to detect chlamydial DNA from previously obtained adult conjunctival specimens.

METHODS

The sensitivity of this PCR test was determined on 42 adult conjunctival specimens that were culture-positive for Chlamydia. The specificity was determined by testing 40 true-negative specimens that included 10 normal conjunctival samples and 20 ocular specimens that were culture-positive for herpes simplex virus or adenovirus. The remaining ten samples consisted of ocular bacterial pathogens in chlamydial transport media.

RESULTS

Amplicor was 88% (37/42) sensitive and 100% (40/40) specific.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that PCR testing for chlamydial DNA from ocular specimens may be useful, especially when conditions in transport might reduce the yield of positive cultures.