Article Text
Abstract
Introduction The CE-labelled Colli-Pee device efficiently captures first-void urine without interruption of the urine stream and is suited for postal delivery. We aimed to evaluate the use of Colli-Pee collected urine mailed by regular post for sexually transmitted infection (STI) detection.
Methods A Belgian study cohort of men who have sex with men were asked to collect first-void urine using the Colli-Pee at home the day after the study visit. At the visit, a first-void urine sample was collected in a regular recipient to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using commercial and in house Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques (NAATs). The Colli-Pee collector tube was sent back to the laboratory by regular post and the same NAATs were performed. A survey was completed by the participants on the usability and willingness to use the Colli-Pee device.
Results To date, 265 results were taken into account. Using Colli-Pee, one additional CT was detected and one CT was missed (5/5) compared to the regular recipient. Two additional NG (7/5) and 2 additional MG were detected but one MG was missed using the Colli-Pee (16/15). TV was not detected in any of the urine samples. The Kappa agreement was 79,6%, 83% and 89,7% for CT, NG and MG, respectively. On average, Colli-Pee samples were taken 1.7 days (0–22 days) after the regular samples and were on route for an average of 4,3 days (0–17 days). 89% found the Colli-Pee easy to use, but 16% remarked that the Colli-Pee is not recyclable.
Conclusion The two STIs (CT/MG) that were missed using the Colli-Pee were only weak positive in the regular sample. More STIs were detected in the Colli-Pee samples: 1 CT, 2 NG and 2 MG. However, the Colli-Pee samples were collected 1, 2, 3, 8, and unknown days later than the regular urines, we cannot exclude that participants became positive or infected during that time frame. In conclusion, we showed that the Colli-Pee can be used for home collection of first-void urine and postal delivery for STI testing.