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Chlamydial InfectionSOVS-CTGNCT01849653

Self-Obtained Vaginal Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing

An observational study of Chlamydial Infection and Gonococcal Infection, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

To evaluate the agreement between NAAT results for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection obtained with self-obtained vaginal swabs (SOVS), collected in a non-clinical setting vs. NAAT results using SOVS collected in a clinical setting. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 16 to 75 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Chlamydial Infection, Gonococcal Infection
How many people
3,500 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Aug 2014to Dec 2015
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 16 to 75 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Study population: This will be a multicenter trial involving approximately 3500 women ages 16-75 from different geographic areas in North America and from populations having different prevalences of Ct and GC. Women will be either healthy women having routine exams, or women being evaluated specifically for STDs (symptomatic and asymptomatic). Sites will include Family Planning, Ob/Gyn and STD clinics. The possibility of using a college student health clinic and a military clinic will be explored if it proves feasible to obtain a large enough number of participants during the project's planned duration.

Who may be able to join

  • Asymptomatic and symptomatic females ages 16-75
  • Subjects scheduled for visits or presenting at Family Planning, OB/Gyn, STD or other clinics requesting (or candidates for) routine screening for Ct/GC
  • Willing to provide informed consent (written per site institutional review board approval)

Who cannot join

  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • Inability or unwillingness to collect a specimen at home (and mail it)
  • On antibiotic therapy within the last 30 days
  • Clinical conditions, such as cervicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease that would indicate presumptive treatment
  • Contact to person with Ct or GC in need of epidemiologic treatment

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of California, San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94110

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Self-Obtained Vaginal Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing: Concurrence in Non-Clinical Settings vs. Clinical Settings

To evaluate the agreement between NAAT results for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection obtained with self-obtained vaginal swabs (SOVS), collected in a non-clinical setting vs. NAAT results using SOVS collected in a clinical setting. This is a new use of this specimen type as SOVS are FDA cleared only for use in clinics. The NAAT (Gen-Probe APTIMA Combo 2® Assay (AC2)) result with the home-collected SOVS specimen will be compared to the result obtained with an SOVS collected in the clinic on multiple platforms (Direct Tube Sampling (DTS) / Panther / Tigris). The term "home-collected" is used to refer to any specimen that is not collected in a clinic, since there is no certainty that a specimen is collected "at home" or in a restroom in an office setting, etc. To compare the SOVS results to an FDA cleared predicate test with the collection of two clinician collected vaginal swabs.

Read the detailed description

All potential participants enrolled in this study will undergo the following procedures:

  • Informed consent (written) to participate in this study along with review of the Participant Information Sheet and Experimental Subject's Bill of Rights (per site requirements)
  • Assessment of eligibility by nurse/clinician
  • Collection of two SOVS in clinic
  • Collection of two clinician collected vaginal swabs in the clinic
  • Assessment of clinical signs or symptoms
  • Group 1 - participants will collect two SOVS before clinic visit and deliver specimens to study staff at the clinic visit.
  • Group 2 - participants will repeat collection of two SOVS at home after clinic visit and mail the specimens directly to the laboratory.

Clinical examinations will be conducted as appropriate to the reason for the visit/exam but the clinic procedures are not included as part of the protocol.

The enrollment strategy is designed to recruit a total of 3500 women with an average of 42-60 women per month over a 12-month recruitment period (500-700 women per site over the recruitment period). Participants will be seen and recruited in clinics at the participating STI-CTG, and other site clinics. At each participating clinical center, recruitment personnel will follow a site specific process that is designed to help identify potential participants. Only one visit is required to complete the study procedures. The total time required for a participant to complete this study may vary but is expected to be 45 minutes total time over 1 or 2 days. Intervals of several days between collection of the two specimens are likely for some women.

Clinic staff will approach women in the clinic or via phone and explain the object of the study and requirements of participation. The consenting process adopted by each site will be dependent on their IRB approval. Written consent will be obtained for all participants.

Participants will be given a Participant Information Sheet to read and keep. [In addition, sites and clinics in California must utilize the "Experimental Subject's Bill of Rights" that explains their rights as a research subject per California law.] For Group 1, the discussions will be by phone and the Information Sheet and Experimental Subject's Bill of Rights will be included in the collection kit that is mailed to participants. Clinic staff will utilize a standard script including a form of Q\&A to ensure that participants have a basic understanding of the SOVS procedures. Participants will be encouraged to call the clinic staff with any questions when they receive the home collection kit.

After the participant provides informed consent, the nurse/clinician will assign a unique participant number (PN) and note the consenting procedure and appropriate eligibility information on a Case Report Form (CRF). The nurse/clinician will discuss basic demographic, medical history and concomitant medication information with each participant and record the information either on a study specific notes page, or a CRF. These will be maintained in the participant's research study record. This information will be used to assess eligibility. Participants in both study groups will be provided with swab collection kits along with a diagram showing how to collect the SOVS specimens. The participant will collect the swabs in a designated place in the clinic (often a rest room) at the beginning of the visit before any other specimens are collected. Next, the nurse/clinician will conduct the examination to manage the participant's healthcare. If the standard of care at the clinic is an SOVS processed using AC2, the participant will undergo an additional specimen collection as per the local clinic's standard of care for diagnosis and management of Ct/GC. Standard protocols for clinical management may differ by study site and will not be modified as a result of this study. Beyond the laboratory's AC2 Ct/GC NAAT clinical results, site standard protocols are not relevant to this study. Participants will not be notified regarding test results from the SOVS collected solely for this study. This will end the Study participation for Group 1.

At the end of the clinic visit for Group 2 participants, the nurse/clinician will provide them with the HOLOGIC|Gen-Probe, Inc. provided home swab collection kits (the same as those mailed to participants in Group 1). The kits are identical to the kits used in the clinic with the addition of a mailing container and relevant mailing labels. Participants will be instructed to return home (or to another non-clinical private location) and collect two additional specimens:

  • within 24 hours of the clinic visit
  • prior to resuming sexual activity
  • prior to taking any antibiotics that have been prescribed

Group 2 participants will then mail the specimens to the laboratory in the mailer provided within 24 hours of collecting the sample. Participants will be given the same instructions for collecting the swabs regardless of whether it is in the clinic restroom or at home. Group 2 participants will receive a follow-up communication 48 hours after their clinic appointment.

Participants in both groups will complete all other study procedures at the clinic during the initial visit. One questionnaire will be administered to the participants (the Home-collected SOVS CRF) and only the following clinical data will be collected as part of this study - participant's age, gender, race/ethnicity, clinical signs \& symptoms, date of exam, date/time specimen collected/mailed/received, UADEs (if any), and AC2 results.

All laboratory evaluations will use the APTIMA Combo 2® assay for detection of Ct/GC infection on the SOVS specimens collected "at home" and "in clinic" across 3 different platforms (DTS, Panther, and Tigris). One set of specimen collection tubes ("at home" and "in clinic") will be tested on DTS at each of 5 to 7 laboratories associated with the clinical sites. A matched set of specimen collection tubes will be shipped to 1 of 3 designated laboratory sites to be tested on Panther. Once the Panther testing is completed, the same set of tubes will be shipped to 1 of 3 different laboratory sites to be tested on Tigris. Results will be compared to assess agreement of the paired specimens tested within each platform (DTS / Panther / Tigris).

The APTIMA Combo 2® Assay (HOLOGIC | Gen-Probe Inc., San Diego, CA) is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) that utilizes target capture for the detection and differentiation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinician-collected endocervical, vaginal (VS-C), and male urethral swab specimens, SOVS specimens (when obtained in the clinic), and female and male urine specimens. The assay is FDA cleared for use with specimens from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

Keywords
vaginal swabs, diagnosis
Medical subject headings
Chlamydia Infections, Gonorrhea, Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT01849653
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Women - Upcoming routine clinic visitThis group of women will self-obtain vaginal swabs at home on the day of their medical appointment and bring the specimens to the clinic. Subjects will then self-obtain another set of vaginal swabs at the clinic. Clinician/nurse will obtain another set of vaginal swabs from the subject at the clinic.
Women - Recruited while at the clinicThis group of women will self-obtain vaginal swabs at the clinic. Clinician/nurse will obtain another set of vaginal swabs from the subject at the clinic. Within 24 hours of their clinic visit, subjects will self-obtain another set of vaginal swabs at their home and mail them to the laboratory.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Chlamydia trachomatis detected by nucleic acid amplification test in vaginal swabs

    AC2 testing on the DTS, Panther, and Tigris platforms for the presence or absence of Ct on "Home-collected" vs. "Clinic-collected" swab specimens, and clinician collected swabs.

    Measured: 24 hrs (at clinic visit)

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Neisseria gonorrhoeae detected by nucleic acid amplification test in vaginal swabs

    AC2 testing on the DTS, Panther, and Tigris platforms for the presence or absence of GC on "Home-collected" vs. "Clinic-collected" swab specimens, and clinician collected swabs.

    Measured: 24 hrs (at clinic visit)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 May 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2014
  3. Primary completionDec 2015
  4. Study completionDec 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
3,500 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01849653
Sponsor's protocol ID
SOVS-CTG2013
Other IDs
HHSN266200400074C
Acronym
SOVS-CTG
Status last verified
Jun 2016
First submitted
24 Apr 2013
Last updated
3 Jun 2016
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Hobbs MM, van der Pol B, Totten P, Gaydos CA, Wald A, Warren T, Winer RL, Cook RL, Deal CD, Rogers ME, Schachter J, Holmes KK, Martin DH. From the NIH: proceedings of a workshop on the importance of self-obtained vaginal specimens for detection of sexually transmitted infections. Sex Transm Dis. 2008 Jan;35(1):8-13. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31815d968d.

    PubMed 18157061
  • Martin DH, Cammarata C. Potential causes of decreased sensitivity of the Abbott ligase chain reaction (LCR) assay for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) in urine specimens. 13th International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR). Denver, CO; 1999.

  • Kudrick JA, (DMID Clinical Agents Repository Contract: Fisher BioServices). Personal correspondence with NIH/NIAID staff. Germantown, MD; February 10, 2011.

  • Altman DG, Machin D, Bryant TN, Gardner MJ, (eds). Statistics with Confidence, 2nd ed. Bristol, UK: British Medical Journal; 2000.

  • Shafer MA, Pantell RH, Schachter J. Is the routine pelvic examination needed with the advent of urine-based screening for sexually transmitted diseases? Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999 Feb;153(2):119-25. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.153.2.119.

    PubMed 9988241
  • Xu F, Stoner BP, Taylor SN, Mena L, Tian LH, Papp J, Hutchins K, Martin DH, Markowitz LE. Use of home-obtained vaginal swabs to facilitate rescreening for Chlamydia trachomatis infections: two randomized controlled trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Aug;118(2 Pt 1):231-239. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182246a83.

    PubMed 21775837
  • Gotz HM, van den Broek IV, Hoebe CJ, Brouwers EE, Pars LL, Fennema JS, Koekenbier RH, van Ravesteijn S, Op de Coul EL, van Bergen J. High yield of reinfections by home-based automatic rescreening of Chlamydia positives in a large-scale register-based screening programme and determinants of repeat infections. Sex Transm Infect. 2013 Feb;89(1):63-9. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050455. Epub 2012 Jun 23.

    PubMed 22728910
  • Cook RL, Ostergaard L, Hillier SL, Murray PJ, Chang CC, Comer DM, Ness RB; DAISY study team. Home screening for sexually transmitted diseases in high-risk young women: randomised controlled trial. Sex Transm Infect. 2007 Jul;83(4):286-91. doi: 10.1136/sti.2006.023762. Epub 2007 Feb 14.

    PubMed 17301105
  • Gaydos CA, Barnes M, Aumakhan B, Quinn N, Wright C, Agreda P, Whittle P, Hogan T. Chlamydia trachomatis age-specific prevalence in women who used an internet-based self-screening program compared to women who were screened in family planning clinics. Sex Transm Dis. 2011 Feb;38(2):74-8. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3182039d7f.

    PubMed 21173720
  • Schachter J, Chow JM, Howard H, Bolan G, Moncada J. Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by nucleic acid amplification testing: our evaluation suggests that CDC-recommended approaches for confirmatory testing are ill-advised. J Clin Microbiol. 2006 Jul;44(7):2512-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02620-05.

    PubMed 16825373
  • Lee HH, Chernesky MA, Schachter J, Burczak JD, Andrews WW, Muldoon S, Leckie G, Stamm WE. Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis genitourinary infection in women by ligase chain reaction assay of urine. Lancet. 1995 Jan 28;345(8944):213-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(95)90221-x.

    PubMed 7823713
  • Hook EW 3rd, Smith K, Mullen C, Stephens J, Rinehardt L, Pate MS, Lee HH. Diagnosis of genitourinary Chlamydia trachomatis infections by using the ligase chain reaction on patient-obtained vaginal swabs. J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Aug;35(8):2133-5. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.8.2133-2135.1997.

    PubMed 9230397
  • Stary A, Najim B, Lee HH. Vulval swabs as alternative specimens for ligase chain reaction detection of genital chlamydial infection in women. J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Apr;35(4):836-8. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.4.836-838.1997.

    PubMed 9157137
  • Schachter J, McCormack WM, Chernesky MA, Martin DH, Van Der Pol B, Rice PA, Hook EW 3rd, Stamm WE, Quinn TC, Chow JM. Vaginal swabs are appropriate specimens for diagnosis of genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Aug;41(8):3784-9. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.8.3784-3789.2003.

    PubMed 12904390
  • Schachter J, Chernesky MA, Willis DE, Fine PM, Martin DH, Fuller D, Jordan JA, Janda W, Hook EW 3rd. Vaginal swabs are the specimens of choice when screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae: results from a multicenter evaluation of the APTIMA assays for both infections. Sex Transm Dis. 2005 Dec;32(12):725-8. doi: 10.1097/01.olq.0000190092.59482.96.

    PubMed 16314767

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Chlamydial Infection and Gonococcal Infection, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Jun 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Chlamydia trachomatis detected by nucleic acid amplification test in vaginal swabs (time frame: 24 hrs (at clinic visit)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01849653, which also lists 22 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Jun 2016.

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