Test Id : SCCGT

This test is for self-collected patient specimens obtained in a healthcare setting. If collection was performed by the clinician, order CGRNA / Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies.

Specimen Type: Oropharynx/pharynx/throat

Supplies: Aptima Throat Swab Self-Collection Kit (T1002)

Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected in a healthcare setting by the patient using the Aptima Multitest Swab (provided in T1002 or available separately).

2. Provide patient with the Aptima Throat Swab Self-Collection Kit or Aptima Multitest Swab and Throat Swab Patient Collection Guide.

3. Instruct patient to collect the specimen following the instructions provided and then return swab to the healthcare professional once complete.

4. Once patient returns the specimen, ensure the tube is securely capped,  and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.

5. Maintain swab container at either 4 to 30 degrees C (refrigerated temperature is preferred) or -20 to -70 degrees C, and transport within 60 days of collection.

• Throat Swab Patient Collection Guide

See Specimen Required

Detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae using a throat swab collected by the patient in a healthcare setting

This test is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.

This test is not useful for the detection of other Chlamydia species.

Chlamydia is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria in the United States. In 2020, over 1.5 million documented cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that 3 out of 4 infected women and 1 out of 2 infected men are initially asymptomatic, the actual prevalence of disease is thought to be much greater than reported. C trachomatis causes genitourinary infections in women and men and may be associated with dysuria as well as vaginal, urethral, or rectal discharge. In women, complications include pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, and infertility. Approximately 25% to 30% of women who develop acute salpingitis become infertile. Complications among men are rare but include epididymitis and sterility. Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis with associated skin lesions and ocular inflammation (Reiter syndrome). C trachomatis can be transmitted from the mother during delivery and is associated with conjunctivitis and pneumonia in the newborn. Finally, C trachomatis may cause hepatitis and pharyngitis in adults.

Once detected, the infection is easily treated by a short course of antibiotic therapy. Annual chlamydia screening is now recommended for all sexually active women aged 25 years and younger and for older women with risk factors for infection, such as a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. The CDC also recommends that all pregnant women be given a screening test for chlamydia infection. Repeat testing for test-of-cure is not recommended after treatment with a standard treatment regimen unless patient compliance is in question, reinfection is suspected, or the patient's symptoms persist. Repeat testing of pregnant women, 3 weeks after completion of therapy, is also recommended to ensure therapeutic cure, although residual nucleic acid may remain in the absence of active infection.

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is also a very common STI with over 677,000 cases of gonorrhea reported to CDC in 2020. Like chlamydia, many infections in women are asymptomatic, and the true prevalence of gonorrhea is likely much higher than reported. The organism causes genitourinary infections in women and men and may be associated with dysuria as well as vaginal, urethral, or rectal discharge. Complications include pelvic inflammatory disease in women and gonococcal epididymitis and prostatitis in men. Gonococcal bacteremia, pharyngitis, and arthritis may also occur. Infection in men is typically associated with symptoms that would prompt clinical evaluation. Given the risk for asymptomatic infection in women, screening is recommended for women at increased risk of infection (eg, women with previous gonorrhea or other STIs, inconsistent condom use, new or multiple sex partners, and women in certain demographic groups such as those in communities with high STI prevalence). The CDC currently recommends dual antibiotic treatment due to emerging antimicrobial resistance.

Culture was previously considered to be the gold standard test for diagnosis of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae infections. However, these organisms are labile in vitro; therefore, precise specimen collection, transportation, and processing conditions are required to maintain organism viability, which is necessary for successful culturing. In comparison, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) provides superior sensitivity and specificity and is now considered the reference standard method for diagnosis in most cases. Immunoassays and nonamplification DNA tests are also available for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae detection, but these methods are significantly less sensitive and less specific than NAAT.

Improved screening rates and increased sensitivity of NAAT have resulted in an increased number of accurately diagnosed cases. Improved detection rates result from improved performance characteristics of the assays and patients' easy acceptance of urine testing. Early identification of infection enables sexual partners to seek testing and/or treatment as soon as possible and reduces the risk of disease spread. Prompt treatment reduces the risk of infertility in women.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

Negative

NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE

Negative

A positive result indicates the presence of nucleic acid from Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae and strongly supports a diagnosis of chlamydial or gonorrheal infection.

A negative result indicates that nucleic acid from C trachomatis or N gonorrhoeae was not detected in the specimen. A negative result does not exclude the possibility of infection. If clinical indications strongly suggest gonococcal or chlamydial infection, additional specimens should be collected for testing.

A result of inconclusive indicates that a new specimen should be collected.

The predictive value of an assay depends on the prevalence of the disease in any specific population. In settings with a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, positive assay results have a high likelihood of being true-positive results. In settings with a low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, or in any setting in which a patient's clinical signs and symptoms or risk factors are inconsistent with gonococcal or chlamydial urogenital infection, positive results should be carefully assessed, and the patient retested by other methods (eg, culture for N gonorrhoeae) if appropriate.

The performance of this assay has not been evaluated in adolescents younger than 14 years.

This report is intended for clinical monitoring or management of patients; it is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.

Appropriate specimen collection and handling is necessary for optimal assay performance.

Results should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical information.

A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of infection. Improper specimen collection, concurrent antibiotic therapy, presence of inhibitors, or low numbers of organisms in the specimen (ie, below the sensitivity of the test) may cause false-negative test results.

In low-prevalence populations, positive results must be interpreted carefully, as false-positive results may occur more frequently than true-positive results in this setting.

In general, this assay should not be used to assess therapeutic success or failure since nucleic acids from these organisms may persist for 3 weeks or more following antimicrobial therapy.

No interference is expected due to:

-Blood

-Lubricants and spermicides

The effects of specimen types other than those listed in Specimen Required and specimen collection variables have not been determined.

This assay detects plasmid-free variants of Chlamydia trachomatis.

This assay does not detect Chlamydia pneumoniae or other Chlamydia species.

This assay has not been shown to cross-react with commensal (nonpathogenic) Neisseria species in the oropharynx.

1. Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

2. Adamson PC, Klausner JD. Diagnostic test for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in rectal and pharyngeal specimens. J Clin Microbiol. 2022;60(4):e0021121. doi:10.1128/JCM.00211-21

The HOLOGIC APTIMA Combo 2 Assay combines the technologies of target capture, transcription-mediated amplification, and dual kinetic assay. The detection of the ribosomal RNA amplification product sequences (amplicon) is achieved using nucleic acid hybridization. Single-stranded chemiluminescent DNA probes are labeled and combine with amplicon to form stable RNA:DNA hybrids. Light emitted from the labeled RNA:DNA hybrids is measured as photon signals in a luminometer.(Package insert: APTIMA Combo 2 Assay, AW-25929-001. Hologic, Inc; Rev 002, 06/2023)

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This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

87491-Chlamydia trachomatis

87591-Neisseria gonorrhoeae

87801-If appropriate for government payers