Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea

Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) remain the most sensitive and specific tests. Testing can be performed on any potential infected anatomical site but routine assessment in primary care requires genital testing only. Depending on the patient’s anatomy the sample to test does vary:

• Vagina – low vaginal swab – a NAAT testing swab applied liberally in and around the vaginal intraiotus for 10 seconds. This sample type will collect cervical discharge and residual urine – the two potential genital sites of infection. This sample can be self-taken.
• Penis– urine sample – a sterile urine pot (without boric acid) should be used to collect a first catch urine sample. The urine should have been held for at least 60, but ideally 90, minutes to maximize NAAT sensitivity. Urethral swabbing for NAATs is not preferred as it confers no improved sensitivity and is more uncomfortable for the patient.

Be aware that NAAT collection tubes have an expiry date. They will not be accepted and processed by the lab if tubes have expired. Ensure regular review and stock rotation of your testing equipment.

Testing for trans patients

Testing should be adapted according to the anatomy of the patient.

Patients not currently seeking or awaiting reassignment surgery should be tested as above.

Following gender reassignment surgery, and the formation of a neovagina or neopenis, the sample of choice is a first catch urine as the only potential anatomical site for chlamydial infection is the urethra.

NICE guidance recommends that a sexual health screen in England should also include the offer of serological testing for HIV and syphilis.

A common misconception amongst clinicians and patients is that detailed verbal consent is required to perform an HIV test. Whilst this was the case in the 1990s it is no longer the case and is considered a significant barrier to offering testing. Verbal consent is still required but is no more detailed than asking for permission to perform the test, explaining it is a blood test, and how results will be communicated to the patient once they are available.

Further assessment for blood borne virus transmission occurs as part of routine reviews in sexual health services. This can inform a decision in some patients to test for Hepatitis A, B and/or C. If time permits during primary care attendances discussions around common risk factors such as intravenous drug use and endemic sexual contacts.

A window period is the time from acquiring infection until a timepoint where its screening test has the highest sensitivity.

• For chlamydia infection this time is 2 weeks.
• For HIV and syphilis serology this window is currently 4-6 weeks.

Serological testing currently has a 99% sensitivity at 6 weeks, and close to 100% sensitivity at 3 months.