Neisseria gonorrhoeae, NAA
Code:18035|CPT:87591|LOINC:43305-2
| Includes | Neisseria gonorrhoeae, NAA |
|---|
Analysis details
Methodology
- Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
Expected Turnaround Time
1–2 days
Special Instructions
- For oropharyngeal swabs, avoid eating, drinking, toothbrushing, mouth or throat rinses, chewing gum, and smoking for 3–4 hours before collection; when feasible, collect in the morning after an overnight fast.
- Whenever possible, obtain specimens before initiating antimicrobial therapy.
- Women: schedule endocervical or vaginal swab, or urine collection, before menses or 2–3 days after it ends.
- Men: do not urinate for 3 hours prior to urethral swab collection.
- Men: avoid urination and genital cleansing for 6 hours before providing a urine sample.
How to use
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae, NAA (gonococcus DNA PCR) is used to identify Neisseria gonorrhoeae for the diagnosis of gonococcal infection and, when clinically indicated, to assess response after treatment. The assay may also be implemented for preventive screening in defined populations according to institutional policies, including designated occupational groups. Common synonyms include Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA test and PCR for gonococcus, reflecting its molecular detection of pathogen nucleic acid.
Limitations
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram-negative diplococcus that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. Clinical presentation differs by sex: many infections in women are silent until complications develop, whereas men commonly experience urethritis after a short incubation period. Without treatment, infection may ascend, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease or epididymo-orchitis, and disseminated involvement of joints or the conjunctiva can occur. Diagnostic options include microbiologic culture, serologic techniques, and molecular assays. Nucleic acid amplification tests detect organism DNA and generally provide greater sensitivity and specificity than culture. Gonorrhea typically responds to appropriate antibiotic therapy administered in accordance with current guidelines.
| Unit | qualitative |
|---|---|
| Reference interval | — |
| Indications | Men with urethritis presenting with purulent urethral discharge, dysuria, and erythema or edema of the meatus, Symptoms of proctitis in individuals with risk factors, Women with cervicitis accompanied by yellow or yellow‑white vaginal discharge, dysuria, intermenstrual bleeding, or postcoital bleeding, Annual asymptomatic screening of sexually active women younger than 25 years, Screening during pregnancy or in the preconception period, Yearly screening of sexually active men |
Specimen Requirements
| Specimen | Urine |
|---|---|
| Container | Urine PCR Collection Tube |
| Volume | 2 mL (min 2 mL) |
| Storage Instructions | Room temperature |