Objective-The aim of this study was to evaluate the newly developed ligase chain reaction (LCR) assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens using cell culture and AmplicorTM PCR for comparison. Subjects-Two hundred and eighty patients attending hospital or urban STD clinics (high-risk population, 62 men and 84 women) and obstetriclgynaecology clinics (low-risk population, 134 women) in Bordeaux, France. Methods-Specimens from men were tested with LCR on urethral

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... s and urine, with AmplicorTM on urine, with cell culture on urethral swabs. Specimens from women were tested with LCR, AmplicorTM and cell culture on endocervical swabs and with LCR on urine. When the three methods generated different results, the LCR and AmplicorTM tests were repeated on the remaining samples. Samples with discordant LCR and AmplicorT. results and a negative culture were further analysed by major outer membrane protein gene ompl-PCR. Results-After analysis of discrepant results, the overall prevalence was 7.5% (211280) calculated on the basis of an expanded "gold standard" defined as culture positive or LCR plus AmplicorTm positive or ompl-PCR positive for discrepant results between LCR and AmplicorTM tests. Of the 21, 20 were detected by LCR, 17 by AmplicorT. and culture. The specificity of LCR and Amplicor. was 99.6%. Conclusion-The LCR Chlamydia trachomatis test is a highly sensitive nonculture technique and a good alternative test for the detection of chlamydial infections. (Genitourin Med 1995;71:382-386)