STI PCR Screen

Diagnostic Use

The STI assay is an in vitro reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to qualitatively detect and differentiate RNA from Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), DNA from Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), RNA from Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) and RNA from Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) to aid the diagnosis of urogenital diseases caused by infection from these organisms. Nucleic acid amplification test is the preferred method of detection for these organism due to its superior sensitivity and specificity.

When requesting, please state which specific tests are required for each sample collected.

Department

Microbiology - Virology

Delphic Registration Code

ASTI

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Each separate sample gets registered with a separate delphic number (even if from the same patient)

Test Adds

Sample retention is 1 month. Within this timeframe test additions for analytes not reported may be able to be test added.

Synonyms

Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis
Gono
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
M genitalium
T vaginalis
MG
TV

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

ASTI

Specimen Type

• Urine
• Throat Swab
• Rectal Swab
• Vaginal Swab
• Eye Swab
• Genital Swab
• Mouth Swab
• Cervical Swab
• Urethral Swab
• Aspirate
• Fluid
• Swab - see Additional Information

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle
• Please refer to Additional Information below

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

20

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

4

No of Samples Required

1

Interferences

This is the list of lubricant gels that Do Not interfere with our assay and which can be used for speculum examinations:

Shield Gel (However, Shield Gel cannot be used for nasogastric tube insertions (NGT).
KY Jelly (is not available in single-use sachets in NZ)
Lubrigel (is not available in single-use sachets in NZ)

Lubricant gels that INTERFERE with our CT/NG/MG/TV assay and cause failures of the internal control are:
Surgi-Gel Plus: can be used for nasogastric tube insertions (NGT)
Optilube: can be used for nasogastric tube insertions (NGT)

Pre-testing Requirements

See link to Swab Guide under Additional Information section below.

1.Use Multicollect swab system for all sites. The Multicollect swab system contains a tube with transport medium and a swab for collection. Follow collection instructions. Supplies available from Canterbury Health Laboratories
DO NOT USE SURGI-GEL or OPTILUBE when taking swabs as these interfere with the assay!

2.Urine First catch urine in sterile urine pottle 10-20ml recommended volume

3. Aspirates (eg pelvic) in a sterile pottle

Additional Specimen Information

Suitable samples: Male and Female - first catch urine (minimum 5mL)
DO NOT USE SURGI-GEL or OPTILUBE when taking swabs as these interfere with the assay!
Male - urethral swab. nasopharyngeal, rectal
Female - cervix , vagina, urethra, nasopharyngeal, rectal
Eyes
Other samples eg aspirates, by request

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Minimum Volume (ml)

5

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

First Catch Urine preferred (min 5 ml)

Specimen Stability information: Urine Specimen and Swab Specimen Storage and Transport
After collection, transport and store transport tube at 2°C to 30°C for up to 14 days.
If longer storage is needed, samples will be stable at -10°C or colder for up to 90 days.

Interpretation

Reported as Negative or Positive or Inhibited

Test Method

PCR

Contact Canterbury Health Laboratories on +64 3 364 0484 or email LabInfo@cdhb.health.nz

Billing Code

2876

Additional Costing Information

Contact Canterbury Health Laboratories on +64 3 364 0484 or email LabInfo@cdhb.health.nz

This is the list of lubricant gels that do not interfere with our assay and which can be used for speculum examinations:
Shield Gel (However, Shield Gel cannot be used for nasogastric tube insertions (NGT).
KY Jelly (is not available in single-use sachets in NZ)
Lubrigel (is not available in single-use sachets in NZ)

Lubricant gels that interfere with our CT/NG/MG/TV assay and cause failures of the internal control are:
Surgi-Gel Plus: can be used for nasogastric tube insertions (NGT)
Optilube: can be used for nasogastric tube insertions (NGT)

Resources

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Contact Information

Enquiry Form