Comparison of ligase chain reaction and culture for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in genital and extragenital specimens

Abstract

In addition to the urogenital tract, Neisseria gonorrhoeae infects extragenital sites such as the pharynx and anorectal canal. Culture and a ligase chain reaction (LCR)-based assay were compared for their performance for the diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infection with specimens from various urogenital and extragenital sites of 200 men and 125 women. The sensitivity and specificity of the LCR assay with male urethral swabs were both 100%, compared to values of 95.9 and 100%, respectively, for culture of urethral swabs or 98.0 and 100%, respectively, for LCR with first-void urine (FVU). For women, LCR with FVU showed the highest sensitivity (94.7%), and culture of urethral samples showed the lowest sensitivity (63.2%) (P < 0.05). In a selected subgroup of 47 men and 22 women at increased risk, the rates of pharyngeal infection were 15 and 18%, respectively, and those of anorectal infection were 13 and 45%, respectively. The sensitivity of LCR was greater than that of culture for both pharyngeal and anorectal specimens. Thus, the overall performance of LCR testing with swabs or FVU was better than that of culture for the diagnosis of genital or extragenital gonorrhea.

Molecular genetic methods for diagnosis and characterisation of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae: impact on epidemiological surveillance and interventions

“…In general, NAATs have a higher sensitivity than culture especially for samples from the rectum and pharynx (21, 73–76). However, NAATs based on detection of genes on the cryptic plasmid, e.g.…”

Case finding and case management of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections among women: What we do and do not know

“…In contrast, the prevalence of chlamydia seems to vary widely across and within regions-from below 5 percent to around 25 percent in all regions. have emerged as the standard tests for chlamydia, with sensitivity and specificity better than those from culture (Buimer et al 1996;Gray and Wawer 1996;Puolakkainen et al 1998;Stary et al 1997).…”

HIV/AIDS Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Inject Drugs—United States, 1985-1998

“…Previous studies have reported similar findings. 5,6 Differences in the racial/ethnic, age, and regional distribution of incident and prevalent AIDS cases reflect some differences in historical patterns of HIV incidence. Those include the later onset of the HIV epidemic in the South compared with the West and the Northeast, and the increasing impact on racial/ethnic minorities.…”