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Chlamydia trachomatis - Detection by molecular amplification

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Eurofins Biomnis code

TRABM

Clinic significance

Bacterium which only infects the eyes and the genitalia. It usually causes trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis or sexually transmitted disease. Lymphogranuloma venereum remains an exotic infection. "Non-specific" urethritis and cervicitis can be relatively asymptomatic and lead to spread of the infection and ultimately tubular damage and infertility in women or epididymitis and prostatitis in men. A role for C. trachomatis has been suggested in some forms of perihepatitis and in Reiter's syndrome. Infants born to infected mothers may present with post-natal conjunctivitis (which is resistant to silver nitrate treatment) and severe pneumonia. The bacterium can often be directly detected in conjunctival or genital smears. Nucleic acid-based techniques (e.g. PCR) are sensitive, specific and do not necessitate invasive procedures (a urine specimen or a vulvar smear is suitable). Culture takes much longer and requires a urethral, cervical or conjunctival smear and perfect transport conditions. Seroconversion and the presence of IgM are demonstrated in cases of recent primary infection and in infected newborns. Apart from these situations, the presence of IgG indicates contact with the bacterium, which cannot be dated, in that these antibodies persist for a long time and are only influenced by an effective treatment at a late stage. The presence of specific IgA may be of interest in cases of active infection. Note the existence of serological cross-reactions between the different Chamydia species.

Prenalytics

  • Sample on Aptima collection kit (Hologic): Kit K11 : cervical, urethral, vaginal, conjonctival swab, biopsy, IUD. For liquid samples (200 µL minimum): sperm, Douglas pouch fluid, Bartollin fluid, peritoneal fluid Kit K14: self-sampling (vaginal), samples and self-sampling (anal,pharyngeal) - Kit K12 : first morning urines at ambient temperature
  • Ambient temperature

Further information

  • Kit K11: Only the blue tipped collection swab should be placed in the APTIMA medium. Carefully cut the swab tip at the cutting line before closing the swab sample transport tube (airtight). Kit K12: the
    urine should be transferred into the urine APTIMA specimen transport in less than 24 hours (2 mL). Biopsy samples should place immediately into a K11 APTIMA or an M4RT transport medium.
  • K11: Kit for Chlamydia trachomatis and/ or Neisseria gonorrhoeae APTIMA for urethral and endocervical samples
    K12: Kit Chamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae APTIMA pour urine samples:
    In the absence of APTIMA K12 medium: Send a sterile urine container without additive.
    REQUIRE jars to be fitted with an integrated transfer needle or cannula.
    K14: Kit Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae APTIMA for self sampling (vaginal, anal and pharyngeal).
  • Do not use K1 KITS (NEST medium)

Documents to download

Methodology

Molecular biology

Turnaround time

4 days

Pathologist(s) in charge
Biomnis Paris
Specialty
Infectious
Contact(s)
Dr Anne EBEL
Dr Catherine COIGNARD
Phone(s)
+331 49 59 63 42
+331 49 59 63 37