MULTIPLEX AMPLICOR PCR SCREENING FOR CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS AND NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE IN WOMEN ATTENDING NON-SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE CLINICS

A nem PCR kit (AMPLICOR CT/NG; Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchb urg, N.J.) was used as a screening tool For the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in first-void urine (FVU) speci mens from 3,340 asymptomatic women attending European health care unit s for contraceptive advice or pregnancy termination. All samples were kept frozen (-20 degrees C) prior to testing. Chlamydia-positive sampl es were retested once by the plasmid-based PCR kit and also by a major enter membrane protein (MOMP) primer-based PCR. Discrepancies were re solved by using the direct immunofluorescence test (DIF) with the cent rifuged sediment of the FVU specimens, Samples positive for N. gonorrh oeae were retested by chromosomal primer-based PCR and verified by a 1 6S RNA PCR. Of the samples tested, 1.8% were considered inhibitory IS using the internal amplification control. Of 81 samples positive for C . trachomatis, 74 samples were positive by both plasmid- and MOMP-base d PCRs, 6 samples mere positive by plasmid-based PGR and DIF, and one sample was positive by both MOMP-based PCR and DIF. Nine samples (0.3% ) were positive for N. gonorrhoeae by the chromosomal primer-based PCR ; however, none of the results could be confirmed, The test offers the unique ability to identify inhibition of amplification with the optio nal internal control.