The molecular diagnosis of sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease.
Highly sensitive and specific nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have emerged as the gold standard diagnostic tests for many infectious diseases. Real-time PCR has further refined the technology of nucleic acid amplification with detection in a closed system and enabled multiplexing to simultaneously detect multiple pathogens. It is a versatile, fast, and high-throughput system for pathogen detection that has reduced the risk of PCR contamination, eliminated post-PCR manipulations, and improved the cost-effectiveness of testing. In addition, real-time PCR can be applied to self-collected noninvasive specimens. Here, we describe an in-house developed TaqMan-based real-time multiplex PCR (M-PCR) assay for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease (GUD) and discuss briefly on issues associated with validation of assay performance.
Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. cychen@cdc.gov
Cheng-Yen
CY
Chen
Ronald C
RC
Ballard
D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006191:Haemophilus ducreyi / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D043262:Ribonuclease P / Q000235:genetics; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D019914:Taq Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014456:Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004279:DNA, Viral; D019914:Taq Polymerase; D043262:Ribonuclease P