Resolution of the recent performance problem of Abbott LCx Chlamydia trachomatis assay. Issues of repeat testing for confirmation of chlamydial infection

The practice of STI treatment among chemists and druggists in Pokhara, Nepal Chemists and druggists working in "medical shops" play a significant part in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in resource poor countries. [1]2][3][4] In some settings, chemists and druggists are consulted for first line treatment of STI symptoms more often than hospitals and clinics designed specifically to service such clients. 1Recent unpublished data from Pokhara, Nepal, suggest that in up to 80% of cases, treatment provided by chemists and druggists was inappropriate or incomplete. 1 We report here on the quality of STI case management among a random sample of chemists and druggists from the 75 medical shops in Pokhara Municipality Area, Nepal.Chemists and druggists working in all Pokhara medical shops, 65% of whom had received previous training in the national STD case management guidelines, 5 based on WHO syndromic algorithms, 6 were trained and motivated to initiate a register of all STI client visits and their treatment.Registry data from January to December 1999 were reviewed.Thirty seven registered medical shops were randomly selected for visits using the simulated client method (SCM) presenting 22 urethral discharge (UD) and 15 vaginal discharge (VD) scenarios.Of the 6374 STI cases (68% female, 32% male), 22% presented with urethral discharge,