Development and evaluation of dried urine strip for genital chlamydia and gonorrhea testing

Abstract

Innovative sampling methods that are convenient, accurate, and user-friendly are crucial to increase sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing uptake. This study establishes a novel dried urine strip sample collection method for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and downstream molecular characterization. Results show no inferiority of dried urine strips compared to urine, with regard to diagnostic performance, when analyzed using molecular in-house and commercial assays for chlamydia and gonorrhea detection. A dried urine strip sample collection method for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing offers significant advantages in resource-limited or stigmatized settings; it enables self-collection, mail-in return, and long-term storage at ambient temperatures, making it ideal for reaching underserved populations. The broader public health impact is the expansion of STI screening access and reduction in STI transmission by offering a discreet, scalable alternative to traditional specimen collection.