title: Multiplex AMPLICOR PCR screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women attenting non-sexually transmitted disease clinics. The European Chlamydia Epidemiology Group.
abstract: A new PCR kit (AMPLICOR CT/NG; Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchburg, N.J.) was used as a screening tool for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in first-void urine (FVU) specimens from 3,340 asymptomatic women attending European health care units for contraceptive advice or pregnancy termination. All samples were kept frozen (-20 degrees C) prior to testing. Chlamydia-positive samples were retested once by the plasmid-based PCR kit and also by a major outer membrane protein (MOMP) primer-based PCR. Discrepancies were resolved by using the direct immunofluorescence test (DIF) with the centrifuged sediment of the FVU specimens. Samples positive for N. gonorrhoeae were retested by chromosomal primer-based PCR and verified by a 16S RNA PCR. Of the samples tested, 1.8% were considered inhibitory by using the internal amplification control. Of 81 samples positive for C. trachomatis, 74 samples were positive by both plasmid- and MOMP-based PCRs, 6 samples were positive by plasmid-based PCR and DIF, and one sample was positive by both MOMP-based PCR and DIF. Nine samples (0.3%) were positive for N. gonorrhoeae by the chromosomal primer-based PCR; however, none of the results could be confirmed. The test offers the unique ability to identify inhibition of amplification with the optional internal control.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Bacteriology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassiri
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mårdh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Domeika
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic