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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections
Published on: August 11, 2012
[Detection of chlamydia trachomatis in urine, vulval and cervical swabs]
Inger Johanne Bakken1, Harald Bratt, Finn Egil Skjeldestad
1Avdeling for epidemiologisk forskning, SINTEF Helse, 7465 Trondheim. inger.bakken@sintef.no
Background:
Increased testing rates for Chlamydia infection among young women can be achieved by more use of self-administered sampling methods. In this study, vulval swabs and urine are compared to conventional cervix samples.
Materials And Methods:
Vulval swabs, urine and cervix samples from 541 young, healthy women were tested for Chlamydia by polymerase chain reaction technique.
Results:
The prevalence of Chlamydia infection was 4.1% (22/541). The sensitivity (cervix 22/22, urine 21/22 and vulva 21/22) and specificity (no false negative results) were high for all sampling sites.
Interpretation:
Urine samples or vulval swabs can replace conventional cervix swabs for the detection of Chlamydia.
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