title: Evaluation of a DNA probe of plasmid origin for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in cultures and clinical specimens.
abstract: This study evaluates a cryptic plasmid-derived DNA probe in a dot-blot hybridization assay of 4-h duration, using both known bacterial isolates and clinical specimens. The probe, consisting of a 237 bp segment of the plasmid-encoded gene cppB, sequences of which are also found in the chromosome, was labelled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP. The sensitivity of the probe was approximately 25 pg of DNA or 500 cfu of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A total of 170 reference strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other related bacteria were tested for reactivity with the probe. All N. gonorrhoeae strains, including three plasmid-free strains, hybridized with the probe. Among the heterologous bacterial cultures, only one strain of N. cinerea reacted with the probe when the cell concentration was 5 x 10(6) cfu. The probe was also evaluated in a clinical study. A total of 201 patients visiting the STD clinic at the University Hospital, University of Seville, participated in the study. The sensitivity of the assay was 95% while the specificity was 98%. Positive and negative predictive values were 97% and 98%, respectively. It appears that the plasmid-derived probe used in this study could serve as a useful tool in the rapid and specific detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical specimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Palomares
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015723:Gene Library; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial