Journal of clinical microbiology
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J. Clin. Microbiol. · Jun 1997
Multicenter StudyDetection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in genitourinary specimens from men and women by a coamplification PCR assay.
A coamplification PCR test for the direct detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral and endocervical swabs and urine samples from men and women was compared to standard culture techniques. Processed specimens were amplified in single reaction tubes containing primers for both organisms, and PCR products were detected by a colorimetric microwell plate hybridization assay specific for each pathogen. Of 344 specimens from men, 45 (13.1%) urine specimens were PCR positive for C. trachomatis, 51 (14.8%) urethral swab specimens were PCR positive, and 29 urethral swab specimens (8.4%) were culture positive. ⋯ In women, 18 (9.4%) urine specimens were PCR positive for N. gonorrhoeae, 23 (12.0%) were endocervical swab PCR positive, and 15 (7.8%) endocervical specimens were culture positive. After analysis of discrepancies, the resolved sensitivity and specificity of PCR for N. gonorrhoeae were 100 and 99.4%, respectively, for endocervical specimens compared to 90.0 and 95.9% for female urine specimens. These results indicate that a multiplex PCR is highly sensitive for detecting both C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae from a single urine or genital swab, providing a more cost-effective way of screening multiple pathogens.