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This Article Full Text (Papers in Press[PDF]) All Versions of this Article: jmm.0.008698-0v1 58/7/867    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Google Scholar Articles by Sachdeva, P. Articles by Saluja, D. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sachdeva, P. Articles by Saluja, D. Agricola Articles by Sachdeva, P. Articles by Saluja, D.

Evaluation of indigenous PCR assay for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis using Direct fluorescent assay and Roche AMPLICOR Chlamydia trachomatis detection kit

¹ Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi, India;

² Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India

³ E-mail: dsalujach{at}yahoo.com

Received December 11, 2008
Accepted March 9, 2009

To improve the control of Chlamydia trachomatis infection (>30%) in India, a rapid, specific and cost-effective method is much needed. We developed an in-house PCR assay by targeting a unique genomic sequence of C. trachomatis Phospholipase D Endonuclease (plde) Superfamily that produce an amplified fragment of 368-bp. Specificity of the primers was confirmed using genomic DNA of human and other STD causing and related microorganisms. The assay is highly sensitive and can detect as low as 10 fg of C. trachomatis DNA. Clinical evaluation of the in-house developed PCR was carried out using a total of 450 endocervical specimens that were divided in two groups. In group I (n=274) in-house PCR was evaluated against Direct Fluorescence Assay. The resolved sensitivity of in-house PCR method is 97.22% compared with 88% of direct fluorescent antibody assay. In group II, (n=176) in-house PCR was compared with commercial Roche AMPLICOR MWP CT detection kit. The resolved sensitivity of the in-house PCR assay reported here is 93.1% and the specificity is 97.46%, making it a cost-effective, alternative for routine diagnosis of genital infection by C. trachomatis. The method shall facilitate early detection leading to better prevention and treatment of genital infection in India.