Evidence that the gonococcal porA pseudogene is present in a broad range of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains; suitability as a diagnostic target.
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.
Whiley
David M
DM
Microbiology Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand. d.whiley@uq.edu.au
Anderson
Trevor P
TP
Barratt
Kevin
K
Beaman
Miles H
MH
Buda
Philip J
PJ
Carter
Martine
M
Freeman
Kevin
K
Hallsworth
Peter
P
Limnios
E Athena
EA
Lum
Gary
G
Merien
Fabrice
F
Vernel-Pauillac
Frédérique
F
Tapsall
John W
JW
Witt
Michael J
MJ
Nissen
Michael D
MD
Sloots
Theo P
TP
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
D018272:Porins; C057699:porin protein, Neisseria