Self-collected swabs of the urinary meatus diagnose more<i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>and<i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>infections than first catch urine from men

ObjectivesTo compare first catch urine (FCU) and self-collected urinary meatal swabs for the detection ofChlamydia trachomatis(CT) andNeisseria gonorrhoeae(NG) using the APTIMA Combo 2 assay.MethodsA total of 511 young men from a high risk street youth clinic were studied. Group A (n=293) collected a FCU and a meatal APTIMA swab followed by Group B (n=218) who collected a FCU and two meatal samples using an APTIMA swab and a flocked swab. Order of sample collection was alternated. Individuals in Group B rated collection as easy, difficult or neither, then expressed a preference for sampling and swab type. All subjects performed meatal self-collection in the presence of a study monitor.ResultsThe combined CT prevalence was 7.8% and 2.7% for NG where 80% of the men were without symptoms. Meatal swabbing identified 35 cases of CT and 14 cases of NG compared to 33 and 11 for FCU. Flocked and APTIMA swabs were equally effective in detecting more cases. The majority of men found self-collection of meatal swabs and urine to be easy. Although 63% preferred urine sampling, 60% of those who preferred swabbing selected the flocked swab.ConclusionsCollection of meatal swabs could serve as an alternative to urethral swabbing and FCU for the detection of CT and NG.

Self-collected swabs of the urinary meatus diagnose moreChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeaeinfections than first catch urine from men Journal Articles