Diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis by first-catch urine enzyme immunoassay in adolescent males

Abstract

This study evaluates a first-catch urine sediment enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis in symptomatic adolescent males. Seven of 23 patients evaluated were diagnosed with sexually transmitted urethritis, five caused by C. trachomatis. First-catch urine sediment was accurate in diagnosing C. trachomatis urethritis when compared to urethral swab EIA ( p < 0.003). First-catch urine pyuria was also highly correlated with urethritis ( p < 0.05). First-catch urine testing is a simple, nonpainful method of screening adolescent males for urethritis, and first-catch urine sediment EIA for C. trachomatis is a rapid, painless method of diagnosis. A method for screening and diagnosis with these techniques is described.