New fast tests for Chlamydia are currently undergoing trials. One such test, developed by the Diagnostics Development Unit at the University of Cambridge is being looked at by Brook in Birmingham, a centre which provides free, confidential and sensitive contraceptive, counselling and training services to young people.

Chlamydia testing currently requires samples to be sent to a lab before results can be reported and treatment commenced. If this trial is successful, the Chlamydia rapid test will allow patients who have a positive result to be treated and counselled immediately without a return visit. The test is simple to use and produces a line on a small dipstick, similar to a pregnancy test, with results available in 25 minutes.

During the trial, in addition to the rapid test, all women provide samples for laboratory testing. Preliminary testing of 400 samples at Brook shows excellent correlation between the instant test results and the standard lab test results.