Gonorrhoea

(Microbiology)

1. Microscopy and Culture sent to the Bacteriology Laboratory - successful isolation is crucially dependent upon sampling appropriate clinical sites and forwarding the sample in bacterial transport medium so as to reach the laboratory with the minimum of delay. This is best achieved by referring the patient to the genito-urinary clinic, where the patient may also be more extensively screened for other sexually transmitted pathogens. NB. Vaginal swabs are NOT appropriate for culturing gonorrhoea and except in special cases (such as sexual abuse of children) the laboratory does not look for the gonococcus in these samples.
2. Gonorrhoea PCR is available as a screening test

Investigations	Gonorrhoea (NG) Similar to C. trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a common sexually transmitted disease and is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis, and infections of the eye Molecular Tests NG PCR
Inform lab before sending	No
Specimen type	First void urine: Collected using the Cobas Urine Collection Kit or in a suitable sterile container. Swabs: Collected using the Cobas Swab Collection Kits. First void urine is the recommended specimen for males. Vulvovaginal swab is the recommended specimen for females.
Ideal time to take specimen
Labelling requirements	click here
How to take the specimen
Transport to the laboratory	If transport is delayed then store at +4°C
Test Times	Daily
Turnround	5 working days
Additional information	Note this is a dual target assay and all samples will be tested for C. trachomatis AND N. gonorrhoeae. A secondary test to confirm NG PCR positive results is not routinely performed on samples from genital site. Please contact the laboratory if this is required. Bacterial Transport Media (blue swabs), cannot be processed by molecular diagnostic methods.
Additional Examination Requests	click here

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