(Home sampling versus conventional contact tracing for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis infection in male partners of infected women: randomised study)

In a Danish study conducted by Andersen et al, published in this week's BMJ, the authors conclude that male partners of women with Chlamydia trachomatis infection may be deterred from seeking medical help because of the intimate nature of the infection and because a urethral swab is needed. They suggest that urine samples obtained at home, which can then be sent for anlaysis, provide a non-invasive and less time consuming alternative. Andersen et al also purport that a similar procedure could be adopted for female partners of males known to be infected.

Contact:

Dr Berit Andersen, Research Assistant, Research Unit and Department of General Practice, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark email: [email protected]