Evaluation of a Self-Administered Intravaginal Swab for PCR Detection of Genitourinary Tract Infections Including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas and Human Papillomavirus in Active Duty Military Women.
Abstract
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the major causes of morbidity for both men and women in the U.S. comprehensive prevalence studies among military women for these infections have not been performed and STD Medical facilities in the Army are limited. Implementation of an STD screening and treatment intervention strategy based on new, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests could have a multifaceted impact on Army women and on the medical system. This ongoing study is designed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of a self-administered intravaginal swab (SAS) for detection of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, and human papilloma virus among active military women attending a health care facility at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Of the 186 women who have volunteered for enrollment to date, 27% were Caucasian, 65% were African American, and their mean age was 25 years. The SAS compared to Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) diagnostics detected more cervical gonorrhea (2.7% vs 1.6%), more chlamydia (13.7% vs 12.6%), and all trichomonas infections detected either by SOP or culture. Furthermore, preliminary data using a 'dry' SAS has resulted in equal, if not better, STD detection compared with the SAS shipped 'wet' in transport media. This screening method is exciting since it may eliminate any biohazard transport or confidentiality problems and prove more cost-beneficial.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA335853
Entities
People
- Anne M. Rompalo
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University