{
  "abstract": "Background Gaps in sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis hinder effective STI control particularly in low-resource settings where syndromic management is often the standard of care. Rapid and affordable point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for STIs such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are needed. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of Eazyplex (a point-of-care test (POCT)) to screen CT and NG among sexually active women in Zimbabwe.Methods We enrolled 220 sexually active women aged 18–35 (median 28 years) years attending a family planning clinic in Zimbabwe. Samples collected from vaginal swabs were tested for CT and NG using Eazyplex, GeneXpert and PRESTO CT/NG. Diagnostic performance metrics (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value) were calculated against GeneXpert, PRESTO CT/NG and a GeneXpert+PRESTO CT/NG combined reference standard. For the combined reference standard, a participant was categorised as having a positive result for CT or NG if either of the two tests yielded a positive result.Results Overall, Eazyplex reported high specificity and low sensitivity. CT results demonstrated sensitivities of 60.9%, 76.2% and 64.0% compared with GeneXpert, PRESTO CT/NG and GeneXpert+PRESTO CT/NG combined, respectively. NG results demonstrated sensitivities of 57.1%, 66.7% and 66.7% compared with GeneXpert, PRESTO CT/NG and GeneXpert+PRESTO CT/NG combined, respectively. All results had specificity ≥98.5%.Conclusion Eazyplex was highly specific but moderately sensitive in detecting NG and CT. While not suitable as a standalone screening tool, its rapid turnaround gives it potential for use as near POCT in low-resource settings.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe"
      ],
      "name": "Moira Majaha"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe",
        "MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Tinashe Mwaturura"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Farai Machinga"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, Harare, Zimbabwe"
      ],
      "name": "Brighton Samatanga"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe",
        "MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK",
        "The Biotech Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe"
      ],
      "name": "Katharina Kranzer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK",
        "Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Munich, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Chido Dziva Chikwari"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of the Eazyplex platform for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among women in Zimbabwe",
  "uid": "28186efe-331a-5617-bbea-557e79e4a2ca"
}