A cervical swab provides the most sensitive and specific test result for Chlamydia, and has the added advantage of the physician being able to assess the patient’s general genital health. Screening is easily done during routine Pap tests and is still considered best practice by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit chlamydia rapid test kit.
Research shows fear or discomfort with pelvic exams is a barrier to youth seeking screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Almost all studies show that women prefer self-collection of urine samples to a pelvic exam.1 Health Canada’s STI Guidelines now recommend “increased acceptance of testing by using a non-invasive urine-based nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).”2
Test
Sensitivity*
Specificity
†
FemaleCervical Swab NAAT
98.3%
96.1%Urine NAAT
94.3%
98.0% MaleUrethral Swab NAAT
97.8%
96.1%Urine NAAT
96.0%
97.2%NAAT: Nucleic acid amplification test
*Sensitivity: Ability to test to correctly identify cases with disease (true-positives)
†Specificity: Ability to test to correctly identify cases without disease (true-negatives)
Cervical swab for females when: Use urine based NAAT testing for females when: Symptomatic for a STI, or Not due for a Pap test, or Due for a Pap test, or The patient refuses a pelvic exam, or
Had sexual contact with a person infected with Chlamydia
Patient is menstruating (blood and mucus interfere with swab NAAT testing performance and can result in false-negative results)
4
The patient should not urinate for at least one hour prior to collecting the specimen.
Collect the first 15 – 20 ml of voided urine (not midstream) to a maximum of 60 ml.
Ensure the lid is secure; the lab will reject leaking specimens.
Store and transport to the test site at 2 – 8 degrees Celsius within 4 – 6 days of collection; do not freeze.
Submit specimen as Chlamydia only, Gonorrhea only, or duplex test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
Duplex testing requires one specimen and one data sheet.
Get collection kits from your local Public Health Laboratory. Consult private laboratories for their specific test information and guidelines.
Follow the Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2008 STI Guidelines and screen all sexually active women under age 25. Test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea during routine Pap tests. The urine based nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) can be used for asymptomatic female patients who are not due for a Pap test but have a risk factor. Tell your patients if their test is positive, a public health nurse will be calling for follow up.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Are you interested in learning more about Single Drug-Of-Abuse Test? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Free fact sheets, free STI medications for patients and partner(s) who test positive for Chlamydia, call the Sexual Health Program, 721-7520 (or toll free 1 877 721-7520)
For additional information and references, visit SMDHU Sexual Health
AIDS & Sexual Health InfoLine, 416-392-2437
Free urine and swab test kits, call Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 705-329-6001
Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections (2008)
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti-its/guide-lignesdir-eng.php
1. Koku, E. F., (2006). Barriers, Strategies to Promote STI testing among Youth (15–24 yrs): A Literature Review. Toronto Public Health, 6.
2. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections (2008)
3. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Sensitivity and Specificity Comparison of BD DNA Assay to Culture (February 2007) Public Health Laboratories Ontario
4. Specimen Collection Guide (March 2009) Public Health Laboratories Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion
Adapted with permission from Toronto Public Health
The most commonly used type of chlamydia test is called a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). A NAAT detects the DNA of the bacteria that cause the chlamydia infection. You provide a sample of urine. Or your provider collects a sample of secretions from the vagina or urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body). The lab tests the sample for signs of the bacteria.
Less often, providers use a cell culture to test for chlamydia. Your provider swabs your vagina, urethra or anus to collect a sample of fluid and cells. They send the cells to a lab to test. If bacteria are present, they will grow, which indicates an infection. Providers may choose this type of chlamydia test to detect infections in the anus. Or they may use a cell culture to see how chlamydia treatments are working.
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Ask your provider how you should prepare for a chlamydia test. Before the test, you may need to:
Your provider gives you a clean cup and asks you to urinate (pee) in it. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully when collecting a urine sample. You’ll need to collect the urine as soon as it starts to come out (first-catch sample).
Instead of a urine sample, your provider might collect a sample of secretions from your genitals or anus. They gather this sample by rubbing a cotton swab on the inside of your vagina, penis or anus. If your provider suspects that you have a chlamydia infection in your eye, they will collect a fluid sample from your eye.
If you’re using an at-home chlamydia test, you will collect the sample yourself. Be sure to follow the instructions on the test kit carefully.
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After collecting a sample, your provider sends the sample to a lab. If you’re using an at-home kit, you will mail the sample to a lab. The lab will test the sample to check for bacterial DNA. Your provider will contact you when the results are ready and discuss the next steps.
While you’re waiting for results, it’s very important to avoid having sex. If you do have the infection and you have sex, you can spread it to others.
A chlamydia test is a reliable way to know if you have the infection, so you can get treatment. Getting treatment for chlamydia protects you from any complications. It also helps you protect your partners from getting the infection.
There aren’t any risks involved with this test. Rarely, the results of the test may be inconclusive or unclear. You may need to give another sample.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Multi-Drug Rapid Test Urine Cup. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.