Schwebke J R, Zajackowski M E
Chicago Department of Health, IL, USA.
Genitourin Med. 1996 Apr;72(2):108-10. doi: 10.1136/sti.72.2.108.
The DNA probe assay is an alternative to culture for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae which does not depend on the viability of the organism. There have been few published studies comparing the two methodologies. The majority of these studies have shown the probe assay to be comparable to culture. The goal of this study was to compare the performance of the DNA probe assay with culture in a high prevalence setting with nearly optimal culture transport conditions.
Genital specimens for culture and for DNA probe assay were collected at the time of the routine visit for STD clinic patients. Results of the two methods were compared. Discrepant results were further analysed using the results of direct patient Gram stains.
Satisfactory matched specimens were available for 999 patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the DNA probe as compared with culture was 90 and 96%. Resolved values achieved by factoring in the results of direct patient Gram stains did not significantly improve the performance of the probe.
Culture remains the test of choice for the detection of gonorrhoea in a high prevalence setting where culture transport conditions are adequate.
DNA探针检测法是一种用于检测淋病奈瑟菌的替代培养方法，该方法不依赖于细菌的生存能力。关于比较这两种方法的已发表研究较少。这些研究中的大多数表明探针检测法与培养法相当。本研究的目的是在淋病高发且培养标本运输条件接近最佳的情况下，比较DNA探针检测法与培养法的性能。
在性病门诊患者常规就诊时采集用于培养和DNA探针检测的生殖器标本。比较两种方法的结果。使用患者直接革兰氏染色结果对不一致的结果进行进一步分析。
为999名患者提供了匹配良好的标本。与培养法相比，DNA探针检测法的总体敏感性和特异性分别为90%和96%。将患者直接革兰氏染色结果纳入考虑后得到的校正值并未显著提高探针检测法的性能。
在淋病高发且培养标本运输条件适宜的情况下，培养法仍是检测淋病的首选方法。
