Pooling Cervical Swabs for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by PCR: Sensitivity, Dilution, Inhibition, and Cost-Saving Aspects

Only two studies have investigated the pooling approach for cervical scrapes. In a small study, Lisby et al. (3) showed that pooling in groups of 5 was 100% sensitive and reduced costs. Recently, Kapala et al. (2) showed in a large study using a ligase chain reaction (LCR) that the pooling strategy is a desirable alternative to individual testing. However, both studies demonstrated the need for additional studies on dilution, inhibition, and internal controls. A pooling approach for a large research study was investigated, with special attention to inhibition and dilution. Beta-globin PCR was used to monitor inhibition and the presence of human cells followed by an in-house Chlamydia trachomatis PCR which is more sensitive (4) than PCR (Roche) and LCR (Abbott) and allows for much higher through-put for considerably less money.