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  • Positive predictive value of the Becton Dickinson VIPER system and the ProbeTec GC Qx assay, in extracted mode, for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

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Basic science
Positive predictive value of the Becton Dickinson VIPER system and the ProbeTec GC Qx assay, in extracted mode, for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  1. Cassie F Pope1,
  2. Phillip Hay2,3,
  3. Sarah Alexander4,
  4. Kay Capaldi1,
  5. Jayshree Dave1,5,
  6. S Tariq Sadiq2,3,
  7. Catherine A Ison4,
  8. Timothy Planche1,3
  1. 1Department of Medical Microbiology, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
  2. 2Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Courtyard Clinic, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
  3. 3Centre for Infection, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St George's University of London, London, UK
  4. 4Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory (STBRL), Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London, UK
  5. 5Health Protection Agency Collaborating Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Timothy Planche, Department of Medical Microbiology, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK; tplanche{at}sgul.ac.uk

Abstract

Objectives Performance of the new Becton Dickinson ProbeTec GC Qx assay on the BD VIPER platform was evaluated to ascertain whether confirmatory testing is required in our clinical setting.

Methods Positive predictive value (PPV) was determined by comparison with culture and a confirmatory nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-based Neisseria gonorrhoeae assay from genital and extragenital samples (rectal and pharyngeal) collected from a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

Results Among 14 223 clinical genital samples, 149 (1.0%) specimens were positive using the ProbeTec GC Qx assay, automated on the VIPER platform; 141 of these were confirmed by either culture or a real-time PCR targeting two gonococcal-specific targets (PPV 94.6%; 95% CI 90% to 98%). Among 840 pharyngeal samples, 26 (3.1%) were positive by the ProbeTec GC Qx assay; 13 were confirmed (PPV 50%; 95% CI 30% to 70%). Among 593 rectal samples, 17 tested positive by the ProbeTec GC Qx assay; all were confirmed (PPV 100%; 95% CI 80% to 100%).

Conclusions The lower 95% CI of the PPV for the ProbeTec GC Qx assay for genital specimens was >90% in this GUM clinic population, and therefore confirmatory testing for genital specimens is not required. Confirmatory testing of pharyngeal and rectal samples should continue in line with national guidelines.

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Laboratory diagnosis
  • NAAT

https://doi.org/10.1136/sti.2010.044065

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests This work was partly funded by Becton Dickinson.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.