| Chlamydia trachomatis RNA in the environment: is there potential for false-positive nucleic acid amplification test results? | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17971374 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
OBJECTIVES: The ability of molecular methods to detect low levels of nucleic acid has led to the widespread application of techniques based on nucleic acid amplification tests in microbiological diagnosis. This exquisite sensitivity is recognised in the laboratory to require stringent precautions to avoid contamination, but this is not widely appreciated in clinical settings where samples are initially collected, and may be a particular problem in the non-clinical settings used for sampling as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. There is thus the need to characterise the risk of false-positive results caused by environmental contamination in these areas. METHODS: The extent of environmental contamination of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) nucleic acid in clinical settings was investigated by swabbing surfaces within the vicinity of specimen collection. Laboratory experiments were designed to monitor the persistence of ribosomal RNA under simulated conditions and to investigate whether contamination of patients' specimens is a risk if environmental surfaces are contaminated. The Gen-Probe APTIMA Combo 2 system was used for CT rRNA detection. RESULTS: CT rRNA was detected in swabs taken from examination rooms and toilet areas. Tests showed that this could persist for at least 50 days. The potential for clinical samples to become contaminated as a result of the presence of CT rRNA in the immediate environment was demonstrated in this simulated test. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that there is a risk of false-positive nucleic acid amplification test results, when samples are taken in an area that is contaminated with target nucleic acid. |
| | |
Authors:
|
E Meader; J Waters; M Sillis |
Related Documents
:
|
12911034 - Perfectly complementary nucleic acid enzymes. 1277124 - Interaction of the carcinogen 3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene with nucleic acids of vario... 19894234 - A nucleic acid dependent chemical photocatalysis in live human cells. 15659574 - A molecular beacon, bead-based assay for the detection of nucleic acids by flow cytometry. 7369154 - Bile acid pool size in relation to functional status of gallbladder and biliary lipid c... 16831744 - In vitro and clinical studies on intravenous feeding mixtures comprising fat emulsion, ... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article Date: 2007-10-30 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Sexually transmitted infections Volume: 84 ISSN: 1472-3263 ISO Abbreviation: Sex Transm Infect Publication Date: 2008 Apr |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2008-03-28 Completed Date: 2008-05-28 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9805554 Medline TA: Sex Transm Infect Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 107-10 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Microbiology Department, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 3TX, UK. emma.meader@nnuh.nhs.uk |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Adult Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis* Chlamydia trachomatis / genetics* Equipment Contamination False Negative Reactions Female Humans Middle Aged Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / standards* RNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification* Risk Factors |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
|
0/RNA, Bacterial |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Breakage, slippage and acceptability outcomes of a condom fitted to penile dimensions.
Next Document: High-risk sexual behaviour in men attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Durban, South...