Aptima Combo 2® (CT/NG) Assay

A universal screening approach that protects fertility

>84% of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are asymptomatic.1 As a result, the majority of patients are unaware that they are infected, running the risk of serious long-term health complications. Even those who are aware of their risk may not admit to being sexually active.2 Lack of screening means that roughly 30% of untreated CT infections progress to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), while 24,000 women each year become infertile, all due to undiagnosed STIs.3,4

Improving patient care through established screening guidelines

  • National health organizations have implemented screening guidelines to address increases in CT and NG prevalence.
  • Nevertheless, screening implementation still faces multiple barriers such as lack of access, lack of awareness, and confidentiality concerns.
  • As a result, only 59% of sexually active women ages 16-20 are screened for chlamydia per guidelines.5
Major public health and medical societies are all aligned in their recommendations on screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea.6

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for chlamydia every year.

ACOG

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Screen women 24 years and younger, and older women at
increased risk.

AAP

American Academy of Pediatrics

Annual chlamydia screening of all sexually experienced females younger than 25 years.

USPSTF

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Screen for chlamydia in all sexually active women aged 24 years and younger and in women aged 25 years and older who are at increased risk.8

AAFP

American Academy of Family Physicians

Screen women 24 years and younger, and older women at increased risk.

The CDC now recommends that providers might consider opt-out screening for adolescent and young adult females to increase screening, be cost-saving, and identify infections among patients who do not disclose sexual behavior.

A testing solution for every young woman7

Introducing a Universal Screening protocol not only helps to prevent risk of infertility due to undiagnosed infections, but also results in decreased STI prevalence and reduces total cost to patients and healthcare organizations.

Total cost for hypothetical population of 100,000 individuals (15–24 years)

Chlamydia Prevalence

Flexible testing for accessible solutions

Introducing this new protocol is easy, starting with the way you collect a sample. Specimens collected with self and clinician-collected vaginal swabs are preferred by the CDC for CT and NG testing.9 It’s important to note that a pelvic exam is not required.

The Aptima® Multitest Swab collects one sample and provides multiple results, maximizing efficiency. Detect up to 7 infection and disease states with just one vaginal swab sample.

Testing may also be performed with any of the following alternative specimen types:

  • Urine sample
  • Female endocervical swab
  • Liquid-based cytology specimens
  • Male urethal swab
  • Rectal and oropharyngeal swab
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References

1. Detels R, Green AM, Klausner JD, et al. The incidence and correlates of symptomatic and asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in selected populations in five countries. Sex Transm Dis. 2011;38(6):503-509. 2. Owusu-Edusei K, et al. Cost-Effectiveness of Opt-Out Chlamydia Testing for High-Risk Young Women in the U.S. Am J Prev Med. 2016;51(2):216-24. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.01.007. 3. Swain GR, et al. Decision analysis: point-of-care Chlamydia testing vs. laboratory-based methods. Clin Med Res. 2004;2(1):29-35. doi:10.3121/cmr.2.1.29. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Americans. https://www.cdc.gov/std/products/infographics/ images/Youth-STI-Infographic_620.jpg 5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2020. Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States: 2021–2025. Washington, DC. 6. National Chlamydia Coalition. Chlamydia Screening: Follow the Guidelines. Know the Goals. http://chlamydiacoalition.org/screening/. Accessed August 11, 2021. 7. Owusu-Edusei K, et al. Cost-Effectiveness of Opt-Out Chlamydia Testing for High-Risk Young Women in the U.S. Am J Prev Med. 2016;51(2):216-24. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2016.01.007. 8.US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(10):949–956. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14081. 9. CDC. Recommendations for the Laboratory-Based Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(2). https://www.cdc.gov/std/laboratory/2014labrec/2014-lab-rec.pdf Published April 2013. Accessed June 25, 2021.