IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY - DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Immunologist
Claudia Rogers, MT (ASCP)
307-777-6061
NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFIED TESTING
Amplified nucleic acid probe technology is used for testing Chlamydia and Gonorrhea specimens. (See Bacteriology section for Gonorrhea cultures.) Specimens are submitted in a specific transport medium that lyses the organisms, exposing the nucleic acid to be tested. Both organisms are tested on the same specimen. Specimens to be tested include clinician-collected endocervical, vaginal, and male urethral swab specimens, and female and male urine specimens from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The assay will detect nucleic acid of live, as well as dead organisms, and therefore should not be used as a test of cure. However, in certain cases it may be necessary to retest previously positive individuals after 3-4 weeks, this testing is done only after consultation with the Immunologist.
Supplies
Collection kits are available for a small fee through the WPHL. Use the WPHL Supply Order Form to download and print a copy of the form, complete all sections and FAX to the WPHL. Do not order more than you can use within the dating period for each kit. We do not replace expired kits.
Specimen Requirements
1. Specimens must be collected using the Gen-Probe (Aptima) kits supplied by the laboratory.
2. Accurate testing is directly related to adequate specimen collection. Follow the specific directions for obtaining each type of sample.
3. Be careful not to contaminate the outside and top of the specimen tube during collection.
4. All specimens should be accompanied by a Chlamydia/Gonorrhea form.
Shipping Requirements
1. Ship specimens as diagnostic specimens according to federal transportation requirements.
2. Specimens must be placed into the appropriate transport tubes that are part of the specimen collection kit.
3. Specimens must be recieved at the laboratory for testing within 30 days of collection.
4. Specimens should be shipped in a cardboard mailer or in a zip lock bag within a padded envelope. The laboratory does have cardboard mailers available.
Criteria for Rejection
1. Wrong swab submitted for specific kit
2. Improper collection site
3. No swab in tube
4. Wrong collection kit used
5. Improper volume of urine in collection tube
6. Expired collection kit
7. QNS – transport medium leaked or broken tube
Reporting/Interpretation
1. Specimens will be reported as NEGATIVE, POSITIVE, AND BORDERLINE.
2. All results are dependent on adequate specimen collection.
3. A negative result means no organisms were detected.
4. A positive result means organisms were detected.
5. A borderline result means the presence or absence of organism was not clear.
This may be due to inadequate specimen collection, early stage of infection, or concurrent antibiotic therapy with residual organisms still present. Another specimen should be collected and resubmitted.
Days Test Performed
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing is performed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If a specimen is initially positive for either organism, it is held until the next test run and repeated. All results are mailed to the provider. The repeat positive results are also called to the provider.
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