Positive nucleic acid amplification test results are rarely indicative of a viable rectal Chlamydia trachomatis infection among men with anal exposures other than receptive anal sex

Key Points

• This research aims to determine the correlation between positive nucleic acid amplification test results and viable chlamydia infections in men with specific anal exposures.
• Enrolled men who have sex with men without receptive anal sex from 2019 to 2022.
• Conducted nucleic acid amplification testing for rectal chlamydia.
• Confirmed viability using culture and viability PCR.
• Of 29 men testing positive for rectal chlamydia, only 10 (34.5%) had viable infections.
• High proportion of positive tests did not indicate active infections.
• Suggests limitations in current diagnostic strategies for evaluating rectal chlamydia.