Evaluation of five serologic tests for antibody to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Sera from 1,167 individuals were tested for antibody to Neisseria gonorrhoeae by use of five different serologic tests. These were complement fixation, the indirect fluorescent antibody test, Gonosticon Dri-Dot, fluorescent gonorrhea test-heated, and gonorrhea screen test. Parallel cultures of material from the throat, urethra, cervix, and rectum were also done. The results were analyzed by a technique intended to separate test effects from population effects. Test specificities ranged from 81.3% for the Dri-Dot test to 96.1% for the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Sensitivities ranged from 55.6% for the Dri-Dot test to 81.5% for the fluorescent gonorrhea test-heated.