Comparative evaluation of Roche Aurora FLOW, Becton and Dickinson Viper system, and Dynex DS2 for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis in various clinical specimens

A Scottish multi-centre service evaluation examining the prevalence and diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in symptomatic women attending sexual health clinics

Trichomoniasis caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is one of the most commonly occurring sexually transmitted infections of non-viral origin. This study examines the prevalence of TV infection amongst consenting symptomatic women attending three of the largest sexual health clinics in Scotland, United Kingdom. In addition, an evaluation of three testing methods to identify TV from vaginal fluid was performed involving the commercial Hologic APTIMA TV transcription-mediated amplification assay, a real-time PCR assay and microscopy. A total of 398 patients consented to participation and all were tested by the three methods. The prevalence of TV was 2.8% ( n = 11), with both molecular assays correctly detecting an additional two cases of TV compared to microscopy. The prevalence of three other sexually transmitted pathogens, namely Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and herpes simplex virus were 7.3% ( n = 31), 0.3% ( n = 1) and 1.5% ( n = 6), respectively. The majority of TV cases (78%; n = 8) occurred in women greater than 29 years of age compared to most Chlamydia trachomatis cases, who were aged 30 or less (97%; n = 30).

Performance of the NG OligoGen kit for the diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: comparison with cobas 4800 assay

PCR assays are nowadays between the most sensitive and reliable methods for screening and diagnosing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability, accuracy, and usefulness of the new NG OligoGen kit in comparison with the cobas 4800 assay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical samples. A prospective study was designed for detection of N. gonorrhoeae including urine samples (n=152), rectal (n=80), endocervical (n=67), pharyngeal (n=41), and urethral swabs (n=5) that were sent from a regional STI clinic in Seville, Spain. Samples were collected from 255 (73.9%) men and 90 women. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predicative values, and kappa value for N. gonorrhoeae detection using the NG OligoGen kit were 99.6%, 100%, 100%, 99.1%, and 0.99, respectively. Statistical data obtained in this study confirm the usefulness and reliable results of this new assay.

High throughput multiplex-PCR for direct detection and diagnosis of dermatophyte species, Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis in clinical specimen

We have developed and validated a multiplex-PCR method for detection of dermatophyte spp., Candida albicans and parapsilosis for routine diagnostics. Our m-PCR showed excellent concordance with culture results in 475 clinical samples. Through the rapid diagnosis by our m-PCR, clinicians are able to initiate adequate antimycotic therapy much earlier.