TruQuick™ Gonorrhea
TruQuick Gonorrhea is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in female cervical swab and male urethral swab specimens to aid in the diagnosis of Gonorrhea infection.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea is one of the most common infectious bacterial diseases and is most frequently transmitted during sexual intercourse, including vaginal, oral and anal sex. The causative organism can infect the throat, producing a severe sore throat. It can infect the anus and rectum, producing a condition called proctitis. With females, it can infect the vagina, causing irritation with drainage (vaginitis). Infection of the urethra may cause urethritis with burning, painful urination, and a discharge. When women have symptoms, they often note vaginal discharge, increased urinary frequency, and urinary discomfort. Spread of the organism to the fallopian tubes and abdomen may cause severe lower-abdominal pain and fever. The average incubation for Gonorrhea is approximately two to five days following sexual contact with an infected partner. However, symptoms may appear as late as two weeks. A preliminary diagnosis of Gonorrhea can be made at the time of examination.1 In women, Gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to internal abscesses and long-lasting, chronic pelvic pain. PID can damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.2 A smear or swab of urethral or cervical discharge may be taken and tested using a TruQuick Gonorrhea.
- Remove the Test Cassette from the sealed pouch and use it as soon as possible. Best result will be obtained if the test is performed immediately after opening the foil pouch.
- Extract the Gonorrhea antigen according to the specimen type.
- Hold the Extraction Reagent 1 bottle vertically and add 5 drops of Reagent 1 (approx. 300 μL) to the Extraction Tube. Reagent 1 is colorless. Immediately insert the swab, compress the bottom of tube and rotate swab 15 times. Let stand for 2 minutes.
- Hold the Extraction Reagent 2 bottle vertically and add 4 drops of Reagent 2 (approx. 200 μL) to the Extraction Tube. The solution should turn turbid. Compress the bottom of tube and rotate the swab 15 times until the solution turns clear with a slight green or blue tint. If the swab is bloody, the color will turn yellow or brown. Let stand 1 minute.
- Press the swab against the side of tube and withdraw the swab while squeezing the tube. Keep as much liquid in the tube as possible. Fit the dropper tip on top of Extraction Tube.
- Place the Test Cassette on a clean and level surface. Add 3 full drops of the extracted solution (approx. 100 μL) to the specimen well of the Test Cassette, then start the timer. Avoid trapping air bubbles in the specimen well.
- Wait for the color to appear. Read the result at 10 minutes; do not interpret the result after 30 minutes.
- Knapp JS, et al. Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Manual of Clin Microbiol, 6th ed. ASM Press, Washington DC., 1995;324-325.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (2002), 51(RR-6).
- Forbes BA, Sahm DF, Weissfeld AS. Neisseria and Moraxella catarrhalis. Bailey and Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology, 10th ed. Mosby, St. Louis, 1998;597-605.
- Summary of the Notifiable Diseases, United States, 1998, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 1999;47(53):1-93.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, US Depart of HHS, NIAID Fact Sheet on Gonorrhea, October 2004.