The main aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a recently introduced rapid diagnostic test, the QuickVue chlamydia test against polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for endocervical samples. Due to concerns surrounding the low specificity of rapid tests for a low prevalence population we assessed its performance for both high and low prevalence populations. The sensitivity and specificity of the QuickVue test compared to PCR were 65% (95% confidence interval [CI] 42-87%) and 100% respectively for the high prevalence population and 25% (95% CI: 5-70%) and 100% respectively for the low prevalence population. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 100% for both high and low prevalence population. The sensitivity of the QuickVue test for a high prevalence population was comparable to laboratory-based immunoassay techniques. However, for a low prevalence population, this test did not identify one in 4 cases due to its low sensitivity and its use cannot be recommended. Although the high specificity and PPV of this test indicate that for positive results no confirmatory test would be needed, because of the small number of cases included in this pilot study, this finding needs to be explored through a larger study.

A 1-year prospective cross-sectional study of 363 children under 2 years of age admitted to hospital was undertaken to assess the importance of group F adenovirus infections. Faeces obtained within 48 hours of admission from 97 patients with and 266 patients without diarrhoea were screened by electron microscopy. Viruses were identified by morphological criteria, and all adenoviruses seen were retested by immune electron microscopy to identify group F serotypes. Group F adenoviruses (4 infections) were second in frequency to rotaviruses (16 infections), and both viruses were significantly associated with diarrhoea (P = 0.005 and 0.00001 respectively, chi-squared test). All four group F infections occurred in children with diarrhoeal disease aged between 1 and 6 months and were numerically as important as rotavirus (three infections) in this group. Rotavirus infections occurred significantly more frequently in the 7-24-month age group with diarrhoea (11 v.0 infections, P = 0.001, chi-squared test). Nosocomial infection occurred with group F adenovirus as well as rotavirus. The finding that group F adenoviruses occur as frequently as rotaviruses in diarrhoeal disease that results in hospital admission in children between 1 and 6 months of age could have important implications for preventative strategies.

Genome analysis was carried out on 74 adenovirus 4 (Ad4) isolates from patients in Manchester between 1984 and 1989. Most of the isolates were associated with conjunctivitis. Of the 74 isolates studied, 51 were Ad4a and 10 were Ad4p (the prototype strain). The remaining isolates consisted of two new genome types we have designated Ad4a2 (10 isolates) and Ad4a3 (3 isolates). Most of the genome types co-circulated during the period of study. The Bst E II and Xho I restriction maps of the new variants are presented and compared with those of Ad4p. We are unable to associate genome types with particular clinical presentations.

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SummaryWe report a new simple non culture technique for the diagnosis of chlamydial eye