Final answer:
Specimens suspected of containing Chlamydia should be quickly transported to the lab in appropriate transport media to maintain viability. BSL-2 or BSL-3 handling protocols may be needed for safety. NAAT is the preferred method for Chlamydia diagnosis due to its high sensitivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transporting specimens suspected of containing Chlamydia requires specific protocols to ensure the viability of the samples and the safety of healthcare workers. During the early stages of infection or for culturing purposes, specimens should be collected from appropriate sites such as nasopharyngeal regions in cases of respiratory infections or urogenital sites, depending on the presentation in males and females. To transport these specimens, they must be placed in suitable transport media and sent to the laboratory as quickly as possible. Prolonged transport times, especially over 24 hours, can diminish the viability of the organism significantly. In the laboratory, BSL-2 or BSL-3 safety levels may be required to prevent laboratory-acquired infections, and special handling is mandated for highly contagious organisms such as F. tularensis.
For the diagnosis of Chlamydia, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is preferred due to its high sensitivity compared to methods such as wet mounts. Specimens for NAAT can be obtained using urine, vaginal, or endocervical specimens for women and urine and urethral swabs for men. Other diagnostic methods, such as immunochromatographic tests for antigen detection, and DNA probe tests for multiple species associated with vaginitis can be used, depending upon the available resources and necessary specificity.