[Application of urine sediment for diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis by enzyme immunoassay].

We evaluated the usefulness of urine sediment from male gonorrhea patients for detecting gonococcal antigens by enzyme immunoassay, Gonozyme (Abbott Laboratories). Experiments for dilution rate of urine sediment with buffer provided in a kit indicated that dilution of sediment at 1:4-6 would be practical in performing Gonozyme. All urine sediment specimens from 18 gonorrhea patients showed positive by Gonozyme, and 68, except for 3, culture-negative control urine sediments, including 8 sediments from patients with chlamydial urethlitis, were negative. Based on comparing results of Gonozyme with those of culture, sensitivities and specificity were 88.9-100% and 95.6%, respectively. During storage of urine sediment at 5 degrees C for 7 days, absorbance values were stable. Therefore, urine sediment could be preserved or transported. We conclude that urine sediment is useful for diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis in males by Gonozyme.