Evaluation of a modified enzyme immunoassay for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in high- and low-risk females.

A recently modified commercial enzyme immunoassay (Gonozyme; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) for Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens was compared with bacteriological culture for diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. A total of 480 specimens were tested by both methods; 355 from females attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic ("high-risk") and 125 from female Family Planning clients ("low-risk"). Sensitivity and specificity of enzyme immunoassay for sexually transmitted disease clinic specimens were 79.7 and 97.9%, respectively (55 positive, 280 negative, 6 false positive, 14 false negative). In the low-risk population, sensitivity and specificity were 100 and 97.5%, respectively (3 positive, 119 negative, 3 false positive, 0 false negative). Despite modification, sensitivity of the method remains low for our sexually transmitted disease clinic population, but the test may have applicability for preliminary screening in low-prevalence settings.