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HelpTest Code SCGCR Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Self-Collect, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Rectal
Specimen Required
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see SCCGR / Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Self-Collect, Amplified RNA, Rectal
Specimen Type: Rectal/anal
Supplies: Aptima Rectal Swab Self-Collection Kit (T1000)
Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab
Specimen Volume: Swab
Collection Instructions:
1. Specimens must be collected in a healthcare setting by the patient using the Aptima Multitest Swab (provided in T1000 or available separately).
2. Provide patient with the Aptima Vaginal Swab Self-Collection Kit or Aptima Multitest Swab and collection instructions.
3. Instruct patient to collect the specimen following the instructions provided and then return swab to the healthcare professional once complete.
4. Once patient returns the specimen, ensure the tube is securely capped, and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.
5. Maintain swab container at either 4 to 30° C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) or -20 to -70° C and transport within 60 days of collection.
Useful For
Detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae using rectal swabs collected by the patient in a healthcare setting
This test is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.
Method Name
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see SCCGR / Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Self-Collect, Amplified RNA, Rectal
Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Reporting Name
N gonor, RNA, SelfCollect, RectalSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | APTIMA VIAL | |
| Ambient | APTIMA VIAL | ||
| Frozen | APTIMA VIAL | ||
Reject Due To
| Transport tubes containing a cleaning swab or more than 1 swab | Reject |
| No swab present in Aptima vial | Reject |
Clinical Information
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with over 677,000 cases of gonorrhea reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2020. Like chlamydia, many infections in women are asymptomatic, and the true prevalence of gonorrhea is likely much higher than reported. The organism causes genitourinary infections in women and men and may be associated with dysuria as well as vaginal, urethral, or rectal discharge. Complications include pelvic inflammatory disease in women and gonococcal epididymitis and prostatitis in men. Gonococcal bacteremia, pharyngitis, and arthritis may also occur. Infection in men is typically associated with symptoms that would prompt clinical evaluation. Given the risk for asymptomatic infection in women, screening is recommended for women at increased risk of infection (eg, women with previous gonorrhea or other STIs, inconsistent condom use, new or multiple sex partners, and women in certain demographic groups, such as those in communities with high STI prevalence). The CDC currently recommends dual antibiotic treatment due to emerging antimicrobial resistance.
Culture was previously considered to be the gold standard test for diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae infections. However, these organisms are labile in vitro; therefore, precise specimen collection, transportation, and processing conditions are required to maintain organism viability, which is necessary for successful culturing. In comparison, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) provides superior sensitivity and specificity and is now considered the reference standard method for diagnosis in most cases. Immunoassays and nonamplification DNA tests are also available for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae detection, but these methods are significantly less sensitive and less specific than NAAT.
Improved screening rates and increased sensitivity of NAAT have resulted in an increased number of accurately diagnosed cases. Improved detection rates result from improved performance characteristics of the assays and patients' easy acceptance of urine testing. Early identification of infection enables sexual partners to seek testing and/or treatment as soon as possible and reduces the risk of disease spread. Prompt treatment reduces the risk of infertility in women.
Reference Values
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see SCCGR / Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Self-Collect, Amplified RNA, Rectal
Negative
Interpretation
A positive result indicates the presence of nucleic acid from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and strongly supports the diagnosis of gonorrheal infection.
A negative result indicates the absence of N gonorrhoeae nucleic acid. A negative result does not exclude the possibility of infection. If clinical indications strongly suggest gonococcal or chlamydial infection, additional specimens should be collected for testing.
A result of inconclusive indicates that a new specimen should be collected.
The predictive value of an assay depends on the prevalence of the disease in any specific population. In settings with a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, positive assay results have a high likelihood of being true-positive results. In settings with a low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, or in any settings in which a patient's clinical signs and symptoms or risk factors are inconsistent with gonococcal urogenital infection, positive results should be carefully assessed, and the patient retested by other methods (eg, culture for N gonorrhoeae) if appropriate.
Cautions
The performance of this assay has not been evaluated in adolescents younger than 14 years.
This report is intended for clinical monitoring or management of patients; it is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.
Appropriate specimen collection and handling is necessary for optimal assay performance.
Results should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical information.
A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of infection. Improper specimen collection, concurrent antibiotic therapy, presence of inhibitors, or low numbers of organisms in the specimen (ie, below the sensitivity of the test) may cause false-negative test results.
In low-prevalence populations, positive results must be interpreted carefully, as false-positive results may occur more frequently than true-positive results in this setting.
In general, this assay should not be used to assess therapeutic success or failure since nucleic acids from these organisms may persist for 3 weeks or more following antimicrobial therapy.
No interference is expected due to:
-Blood
-Lubricants and spermicides
The effects of specimen types other than those listed in Specimen Required and specimen collection variables have not been determined.
Clinical Reference
1. Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
2. Adamson PC, Klausner JD. Diagnostic test for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in rectal and pharyngeal specimens. J Clin Microbiol. 2022;60(4):e0021121. doi:10.1128/JCM.00211-21
Method Description
The HOLOGIC APTIMA Combo 2 Assay combines the technologies of target capture, transcription-mediated amplification, and dual kinetic assay. The detection of the ribosomal RNA amplification product sequences (amplicon) is achieved using nucleic acid hybridization. Single-stranded chemiluminescent DNA probes are labeled and combine with amplicon to form stable RNA:DNA hybrids. Light emitted from the labeled RNA:DNA hybrids is measured as photon signals in a luminometer.(Package insert: APTIMA Combo 2 Assay, AW-25929-001. Hologic, Inc; Rev 002, 06/2023)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 4 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
87591
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SCGCR | N gonor, RNA, SelfCollect, Rectal | 43305-2 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 621936 | Neisseria gonorrhoeae amplified RNA | 43305-2 |