MIDL PCR Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorhoeae (CGD)
Department: Molecular Infectious Disease
Test Synonym(s): LAB1364, CGD, GCD, CTD, CT NG PCR, CTNG
CPT Codes: CT - 87491, GC - 87591
Methodology: PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction
Reference Range: Not detected
Tube Type: Swabs: Yellow top cobas® Female Swab Sample Kit, Urine: 10 mL first voided. Yellow top cobas® PCR Urine Sample kit. Cervical swabs can also be collected in ThinPrep media.
Specimen: Urine specimens (male or female), endocervical swabs (can be collected in ThinPrep), rectal swabs and oropharyngeal swabs
Alternate Specimen: Eye swab - sent to a reference lab (ARUP Test# 60774). Other specimens need Medical Director approval. Please call 615-875-5227 to speak with the lab.
Pediatric Requirements: Assay not approved for pediatric testing (contact lab)
Volume: 10.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 4.0 mL
Temperature: Urine - refrigerated, Swabs - room temperature if same day, refrigerated if overnight or up to 6 days after collection.
Stability: Refrigerated: 6 days; Frozen: 3 months (preferably -80C)
Reasons for Rejection: Specimen collected incorrectly; alternative specimen sent without Medical Director approval
Days Performed: Monday - Friday
Times Performed: Once per day
TAT: 1 - 3 days
Significance: C. trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections are the two most common communicable notifiable diseases in the United States. CT causes cervicitis, urethritis, salpingitis, proctitis, and endometritis in women and urethritis, epididymitis, and proctitis in men. CT can also be transmitted via the birth canal, potentially resulting in infant conjunctivitis and/or chlamydial pneumonia in newborns. NG causes acute urethritis in males, which if untreated can develop into epididymitis, prostatitis, and urethral stricture. In females, the primary site of NG infection is the endocervix. An important complication in females is development of pelvic inflammatory disease, which contributes to infertility. Asymptomatic NG infections occur often in females but infrequently in males. Current methods for detection of CT and/or NG include culture, immunoassays, non-amplified probes, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). NAATs have demonstrated two advantages over non-amplified methods: increased sensitivity and applicability to a variety of sample types, including urine. NAATs have been accepted as the preferred method for laboratory diagnosis of CT and NG infections. In addition to testing for genital CT and NG infections, recent CDC recommendations reflect the clinical utility of NAA-based CT and NG testing of rectal and oropharyngeal specimens collected from patients at increased risk of infection at these extragenital sites, in particular, men who have sex with men.
Special Instructions:
Click here to print the Molecular Diagnostics requisition.
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