Neisseria gonorrhoeae Reference Work

STBRL offer two Neisseria gonorrhoeae reference services:

• GC NAATS Molecular Confirmation Service (NEW SERVICE)
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture Confirmation Service (identification, sensitivity testing, etc.)

GC NAATS Molecular Confirmation Service

STBRL offer a N. gonorrhoeae molecular confirmation service for the direct detection of GC specific DNA from clinical samples.

This service is aimed at laboratories who are using GC NAATs and wish to comply with the United Kingdom current guidelines [which recommend the use of a confirmatory test in low prevalence settings] but do not have the ability locally to perform the confirming testing themselves.

Please note that this service is intended as a confirmatory service and not a primary diagnostic service. Any clinical specimens which are received for this service that have not (i) been tested using a GC NAAT and produced a reactive result or (ii) have insufficient information on the referral form, will be archived.

Useful Documents:

GC NAATs Policy (PDF, 24 KB)

B6 Gonorrhoea molecular confirmation form (PDF, 310 KB)

Guidance for GC testing in England and Wales (PDF, 284 KB) (Department Health)

GC NAATs National SOP - If you require a hard copy of QSOP62 please email Standards@hpa.org.uk

Referral of Putative Neisseria gonorrhoeae Cultures

STBRL will accept viable cultures on a chocolate slope or on a transport slope.

Reference service is available for isolates that require:

• Confirmation of identification because results were anomalous;
• Confirmation of identification for medico-legal purposes;
• Susceptibility testing for third generation cephalosporins, ceftriaxone, and cefixime and azithromycin.

Identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae will confirmed using:

• Gram Stain and Oxidase test
• Biochemical methods: API NH
• Immunological methods: Phadebact and/or Microtrak
• Molecular identification: by amplification of PorA pseudogene
• Susceptibility testing for ceftriaxone, and cefixime and azithromycin; when requested.

Please complete the correct referral form for all gonococcal isolates, including your laboratory address.
Request Form B2 (PDF, 79 KB)
Neisseria referral Request Form

Other services available include:

• Typing of isolates from linked cases. This is performed using NG MAST which examines diversity into hypervariable genes ( Por & tppB). For further information please contact the laboratory directly with details.

Please note: Isolates referred with insufficient referral information will be retrieved and archived. The referring laboratory will be notified and appropriate details requested.

Charges will be incurred for medico-legal work and tests not covered by the reference service.

The laboratory can be contacted by telephone (020 8327 6464) or email stbrl@hpa.org.uk

 

Last reviewed: 16 March 2010