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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis
Published on: October 23, 2013
A 30-Min Nucleic Acid Amplification Point-of-Care Test for Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Women: A
E M Harding-Esch1, E C Cousins2, S-L C Chow2
1Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; Public Health England, National Infection Service, HIV/STI Department, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
Background:
Rapid Point-Of-Care Tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) may reduce onward transmission and reproductive sexual health (RSH) sequelae by reducing turnaround times between diagnosis and treatment. The io® single module system (Atlas Genetics Ltd.) runs clinical samples through a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-based CT cartridge, delivering results in 30min.
Methods:
Prospective diagnostic accuracy study of the io® CT-assay in four UK Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM)/RSH clinics on additional-to-routine self-collected vulvovaginal swabs. Samples were tested "fresh" within 10days of collection, or "frozen" at -80°C for later testing. Participant characteristics were collected to assess risk factors associated with CT infection.
Results:
CT prevalence was 7.2% (51/709) overall. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the io® CT assay were, respectively, 96.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 86.5-99.5), 97.7% (95%CI: 96.3-98.7), 76.6% (95%CI: 64.3-86.2) and 99.7% (95%CI: 98.9-100). The only risk factor associated with CT infection was being a sexual contact of an individual with CT.
Conclusions:
The io® CT-assay is a 30-min, fully automated, high-performing NAAT currently CE-marked for CT diagnosis in women, making it a highly promising diagnostic to enable specific treatment, initiation of partner notification and appropriately intensive health promotion at the point of care.
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