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Sexually transmitted infections

Lymphogranuloma Venereum Laboratory diagnosis

The Frei test antigen is no longer available. The diagnosis depends on serology, identification of C trachomatis in clinical samples, and biopsy.

The complement fixation (CF) test is used to diagnose chlamydial infections. It does not distinguish between infections with C trachomatis, C psittaci, and the common respiratory pathogen C pneumoniae. A high titre of >1:256 supports the diagnosis,.

C trachomatis can be identified in bubo fluid following aspiration, or in ulcer material. This is strong support for the diagnosis. Buboes contain small amounts of thin milky fluid, and it may be necessary to inject 2? ml of sterile saline to obtain any fluid by aspiration. Chancroid buboes contain large amounts of pus.