title: Evidence that the gonococcal porA pseudogene is present in a broad range of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains; suitability as a diagnostic target.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of the study was to determine if the gonococcal porA pseudogene is a stable sequence target for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by PCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 240 gonococcal strains from various geographic locations were tested by porA pseudogene PCR. In addition, porA pseudogene PCR positivity rates were compared with established gonococcal assays in three Australian states.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All N. gonorrhoeae isolates provided positive results in the porA pseudogene PCR. Positivity rates compared favourably with established gonococcal assays, with increased N. gonorrhoeae detection in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this multicentre study provide further evidence that the porA pseudogene is highly conserved across a diverse range N. gonorrhoeae strains and is a suitable PCR target for routine detection of N. gonorrhoeae.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand. d.whiley@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Whiley
authors.forename: Trevor P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barratt
authors.forename: Miles H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Beaman
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Buda
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hallsworth
authors.forename: E Athena
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Limnios
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lum
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Merien
authors.forename: Frédérique
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vernel-Pauillac
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tapsall
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: Theo P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Sloots
mesh_terms: D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018272:Porins / Q000235:genetics*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D018272:Porins; C057699:porin protein, Neisseria