Chlamydia trachomatis: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: None written.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Chlamydia trachomatis are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Pre-Test Probability (Prevalence): %.	Post-Test Probability (Predictive Value): %.	Switch to display mode.
Note that calculating probabilities from more than one** finding is inherently inaccurate because findings are not independent. (For example, using two positive findings that share a common pathogenesis is likely to overestimate the true probability.)


Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detection	+ 0 -	50%	95%
50-70% sensitive, depending on conditions and population; specificity 95-99 Study: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997 Jan;10(1):160-84; PMID: 8993862
[ + ] Chlamydia trachomatis culture	+ 0 -	52%	99%
52-92 % sensitivity depending on the culture conditions, population. Study: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997 Jan;10(1):160-84; PMID: 8993862 Study is a good review for different diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis
[ + ] Chlamydia trachomatis LCR	+ 0 -	85%	99%
Sensitivity 85-95 Study: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997 Jan;10(1):160-84; PMID: 8993862 Study is a good review for different diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis
[ + ] Chlamydia trachomatis PCR	+ 0 -	65%	99%
Sensitivity: 65-95% Study: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997 Jan;10(1):160-84; PMID: 8993862 Study is a good review for different diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis
[ + ] Chlamydia trachomatis rapid tests	+ 0 -	48%	95%
Sensitivity: 48-79; Specificity 95-98 Study: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997 Jan;10(1):160-84; PMID: 8993862 Study is a good review for different diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis
[ + ] Chlamydia trachomatis serology	+ 0 -	85%	99%
Sensitivity 85-100%; Study: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997 Jan;10(1):160-84; PMID: 8993862 Study is a good review for different diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis