Development of a pilot proficiency program for human papillomavirus DNA detection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has become routine in many diagnostic laboratories, particularly with changes from cervical cytology to HPV DNA as primary screening as of 1 December 2017 in Australia. External quality assurance (EQA) is essential for assessment of laboratory performance once HPV testing is implemented. The aim of this study was to develop a pilot program to evaluate and determine stability of material that could be utilised in an ongoing external quality assurance program (EQAP).

UriSwab: an effective transport medium for nucleic acid detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Unlabelled: Background Patient self-sampling allows for remote collection and return to clinic or laboratory by post. Urine samples, although convenient, are challenging to post. This study evaluated UriSwab (Copan, Brescia, Italy) as a collection and transport vessel for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) detection by polymerase chain reaction, compared with flocked swab and neat urine.

Opportunities and pitfalls of molecular testing for detecting sexually transmitted pathogens.

In the last 20 years, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have gradually replaced traditional methods for the detection of sexually transmitted infections. NAAT technology comes with some considerable benefits for diagnosis, including increased sensitivity, rapid result turnaround and suitability for high throughput screening of asymptomatic individuals using more-readily available specimens. However, the transition to NAAT has not come without its problems.

Rapid detection of vanA and vanB genes directly from clinical specimens and enrichment broths by real-time multiplex PCR assay.

A real-time PCR assay previously developed for use on the Roche LightCycler platform was investigated as an alternative to culture for the direct detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in clinical specimens. PCR primers and fluorescence resonance energy transfer hybridization probes specific for the vanA and vanB genes were combined in a multiplex real-time PCR assay performed directly with fecal material obtained by rectal swabbing and with enrichment broth samples. DNA was prepared from the rectal swabs and enrichment broths with a commercially available DNA preparation column designed specifically for use with fecal specimens.