Multi-centric validation of an in-house-developed beacon-based PCR diagnostic assay kit for Chlamydia and Neisseria and portable fluorescence detector.

Objective: The development of an accurate, sensitive, specific, rapid, reproducible, stable-at-room-temperature and cost-effective diagnostic kit, and a low-cost portable fluorescence detector to fulfil the requirements of diagnostic facilities in developing countries.

Methods: We developed the 'Chlamy and Ness CT/NG kit' based on molecular beacons for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseriagonorrhoeae (NG). Multi-centric evaluation of the CT/NG kit was performed using the commercially available nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-based FTD Urethritis basic kit for comparison from December 2014 to November 2016.