Test Catalog

Test Id : CGRNA

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae

 

This test is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.

 

This test is not useful for the detection of other Chlamydia species.

Profile Information
A profile is a group of laboratory tests that are ordered and performed together under a single Mayo Test ID. Profile information lists the test performed, inclusive of the test fee, when a profile is ordered and includes reporting names and individual availability.

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
CTRNA Chlamydia trachomatis Amplified RNA Yes Yes
GCRNA Neisseria gonorrhoeae Amplified RNA Yes Yes

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Transcription Mediated Amplification

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Chlamydia/Gonorrhoeae Amplified RNA

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Chlamydia/Neisseria RNA Probe

RNA Probe Chlam/Neis STD Panel

Gonorrhoeae RNA Probe

Gonorrhea

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Varies

Necessary Information

Specimen source is required.

ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question ID Description Answers
SRC14 SOURCE:
SRC17 SOURCE:

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Specimen Type: Endocervix/cervix

Supplies: Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit (T583)

Container/Tube: Aptima Unisex Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit.

2. Use cleaning swab (white shaft) to remove excess mucus from endocervix/cervix.

3. Discard the cleaning swab.

4. Insert second swab (blue shaft) 1 to 1.5 cm into endocervical canal and rotate swab gently for 30 seconds. Avoid touching vaginal wall when removing swab.

5. Place second swab into transport tube provided in collection kit.

6. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

7. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.

8. Maintain swab container at 2 to 30 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) and transport within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70 degrees C for 12 months.

 

Specimen Type: Vaginal

Supplies: Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit (T584)

Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit.

2. Insert swab (pink shaft) about 5 cm past introitus and rotate gently for 30 seconds.

3. Place swab into transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

4. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.

5. Maintain swab container at 2 to 30 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) and transport within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70 degrees C for 12 months.

 

Specimen Type: Urethra (Males Only)

Supplies: Swab, Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit (T583)

Container/Tube: Aptima Unisex Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit.

2. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to collection.

3. With a rotating movement, insert swab (blue shaft) 2 to 4 cm into urethra.

4. Once inserted, rotate swab gently at least 1 full rotation using sufficient pressure to ensure swab comes into contact with all urethral surfaces. Allow swab to remain inserted for 2 to 3 seconds.

5. Place swab in transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

6. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.

7. Maintain swab container at 2 to 30 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) and transport within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70 degrees C for 12 months.

 

Specimen Type: Urine

Supplies: Aptima Urine Transport Tube (T582)

Container/Tube: Aptima urine specimen transport tube

Specimen Volume: 15 to 20 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.

2. Patient should collect first portion of random voided urine (first part of stream) into a sterile, plastic, preservative-free container.

3. Within 24 hours of collection, transfer 2 mL of urine into the urine specimen transport tube using the disposable pipette provided. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on the urine transport tube.

4. Place the labels on the transport tube so the black fill lines are still visible for volume confirmation at Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

5. Maintain urine specimen transport tube at 2 to 30 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) and transport within 30 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70 degrees C for 12 months.

 

Specimen Type: ThinPrep Specimen (Endocervix/cervix)

Supplies: Aptima ThinPrep Transport Tube (T652)

Container/Tube: ThinPrep (also called PreservCyt) Collection Kit

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect ThinPrep sample as per normal collection process.

2. ThinPrep specimen must be aliquoted (as outlined below) before it is processed/tested for Pap smear.

3. Vortex ThinPrep/PreservCyt vial 3 to 10 seconds. Within 1 minute of vortexing:

 a. Transfer 1 mL of specimen into the Aptima ThinPrep Transport Tube (ie, specimen transfer tube) using a disposable transfer pipette or a pipette tip containing a filter (aerosol barrier or hydrophobic plug).

 b. Process only 1 ThinPrep and transfer tube set at a time.

 c. Recap Aptima specimen transfer tube tightly and gently invert 3 times to mix.

4. Label Aptima transfer tube with appropriate label.

5. Use remainder of ThinPrep specimen for Pap testing.

6. Maintain specimen transport tube at 2 to 8 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) and transport within 30 days of collection, or within 14 days if stored at 15 to 30 degrees C. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70 degrees C for 12 months.

 

Specimen Type: Oropharynx/pharynx/throat

Supplies: Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit (T584)

Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit.

2. Swab site using Aptima Multitest Swab (pink shaft).

3. Place collection swab in transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

4. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.

5. Maintain swab container at either 4 to 30 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) or -20 to -70 degrees C, and transport within 60 days of collection.

 

Specimen Type: Rectal/anal

Supplies: Swab, Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit (T584)

Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit.

2. Insert swab into rectum about 3 to 5 cm past anal margin and gently rotate swab for 10 seconds.

3. Place collection swab in transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

4. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.

5. Maintain swab container at either 4 to 30 degrees C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) or -20 to -70 degrees C, and transport within 60 days of collection.

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-General Request (T239)

-Microbiology Test Request (T244)

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the Testing Laboratory

Urine: 2 mL

Endocervical/cervix in PreservCyt or Swab specimens: See Specimen Required

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Midstream urine specimen
Clean catch urine specimen
Overfilled or underfilled urine transport tubes
Specimen collected into a SurePath device
Transport tubes containing a cleaning swab or more than 1 swab
Reject

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Refrigerated (preferred) APTIMA VIAL
Ambient APTIMA VIAL
Frozen APTIMA VIAL

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae

 

This test is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.

 

This test is not useful for the detection of other Chlamydia species.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Chlamydia is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria in the United States. In 2020, over 1.5 million documented cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that 3 out of 4 infected women and 1 out of 2 infected men are initially asymptomatic, the actual prevalence of disease is thought to be much greater than reported. C trachomatis causes genitourinary infections in women and men and may be associated with dysuria as well as vaginal, urethral, or rectal discharge. In women, complications include pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, and infertility. Approximately 25% to 30% of women who develop acute salpingitis become infertile. Complications among men are rare but include epididymitis and sterility. Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis with associated skin lesions and ocular inflammation (Reiter syndrome). C trachomatis can be transmitted from the mother during delivery and is associated with conjunctivitis and pneumonia in the newborn. Finally, C trachomatis may cause hepatitis and pharyngitis in adults.

 

Once detected, the infection is easily treated by a short course of antibiotic therapy. Annual chlamydia screening is now recommended for all sexually active women 25 years of age and younger and for older women with risk factors for infection, such as a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. The CDC also recommends that all pregnant women be given a screening test for chlamydia infection. Repeat testing for test-of-cure is not recommended after treatment with a standard treatment regimen unless patient compliance is in question, reinfection is suspected, or the patient's symptoms persist. Repeat testing of pregnant women, 3 weeks after completion of therapy, is also recommended to ensure therapeutic cure, although residual nucleic acid may remain in the absence of active infection.

 

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is also a very common STI, with over 677,000 cases of gonorrhea reported to CDC in 2020. Like chlamydia, many infections in women are asymptomatic, and the true prevalence of gonorrhea is likely much higher than reported. The organism causes genitourinary infections in women and men and may be associated with dysuria as well as vaginal, urethral, or rectal discharge. Complications include pelvic inflammatory disease in women and gonococcal epididymitis and prostatitis in men. Gonococcal bacteremia, pharyngitis, and arthritis may also occur. Infection in men is typically associated with symptoms that would prompt clinical evaluation. Given the risk for asymptomatic infection in women, screening is recommended for women at increased risk of infection (eg, women with previous gonorrhea or other STIs, inconsistent condom use, new or multiple sex partners, and women in certain demographic groups such as those in communities with high STI prevalence). The CDC currently recommends dual antibiotic treatment due to emerging antimicrobial resistance.

 

Culture was previously considered to be the gold standard test for diagnosis of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae infections. However, these organisms are labile in vitro; therefore, precise specimen collection, transportation, and processing conditions are required to maintain organism viability, which is necessary for successful culturing. In comparison, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) provides superior sensitivity and specificity and is now considered the reference standard method for diagnosis in most cases. Immunoassays and nonamplification DNA tests are also available for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae detection, but these methods are significantly less sensitive and less specific than NAAT.

 

Improved screening rates and increased sensitivity of NAAT have resulted in an increased number of accurately diagnosed cases. Improved detection rates result from improved performance characteristics of the assays and patients' easy acceptance of urine testing. Early identification of infection enables sexual partners to seek testing and/or treatment as soon as possible and reduces the risk of disease spread. Prompt treatment reduces the risk of infertility in women.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Chlamydia trachomatis

Negative

 

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Negative

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

A positive result indicates the presence of nucleic acid from Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae and strongly supports a diagnosis of chlamydial or gonorrheal infection.

 

A negative result indicates that nucleic acid from C trachomatis or N gonorrhoeae was not detected in the specimen. A negative result does not exclude the possibility of infection. If clinical indications strongly suggest gonococcal or chlamydial infection, additional specimens should be collected for testing.

 

A result of indeterminate indicates that a new specimen should be collected.

 

The predictive value of an assay depends on the prevalence of the disease in any specific population. In settings with a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, positive assay results have a high likelihood of being true-positive results. In settings with a low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, or in any setting in which a patient's clinical signs and symptoms or risk factors are inconsistent with gonococcal or chlamydial urogenital infection, positive results should be carefully assessed, and the patient retested by other methods (eg, culture for N gonorrhoeae) if appropriate.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Care must be taken to avoid cross-contamination during handling of PreservCyt solution liquid Pap specimens. If testing PreservCyt specimens processed with the ThinPrep 2000 processor, it is important to follow procedures to reduce the risk for cross-contamination during Pap processing, such as bleaching of the PreservCyt filter cap and changing gloves between each sample. Refer to the ThinPrep 2000 Processor Operator's Manual and the Aptima specimen for more guidance.

 

The performance of endocervical, vaginal, and male urethral swab specimens, urine specimens, and PreservCyt solution liquid Pap specimens has not been evaluated in adolescents younger than 16 years of age. The performance of vaginal swab specimens has not been evaluated in pregnant women.

 

This report is intended for clinical monitoring or management of patients; it is not intended for use in medico-legal applications.

 

Appropriate specimen collection and handling is necessary for optimal assay performance.

 

Results should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical information.

 

A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of infection. Improper specimen collection, concurrent antibiotic therapy, presence of inhibitors, or low numbers of organisms in the specimen (ie, below the sensitivity of the test) may cause false-negative test results.

 

In low-prevalence populations, positive results must be interpreted carefully, as false-positive results may occur more frequently than true-positive results in this setting.

 

In general, this assay should not be used to assess therapeutic success or failure since nucleic acids from these organisms may persist for 3 weeks or more following antimicrobial therapy.

 

The presence of mucous does not interfere with this assay. However, this test requires endocervical cells, and if excess mucous is not removed prior to collection, adequate numbers of these cells may not be obtained.

 

No interference is expected due to:

-Blood

-Lubricants and spermicides

 

The effects of tampon use, douching, specimen types other than those listed in Specimen Required, and specimen collection variables have not been determined.

 

Testing of urine specimens with this method is not intended to replace cervical exam and endocervical sampling for diagnosis of urogenital infection; infections may result from other causes, or concurrent infections may occur.

 

Testing urine specimens as the sole test for identifying female patients with chlamydial or gonococcal infections may miss some infected individuals.

 

Performance estimates for urine specimens are based on evaluation of urine obtained from the first part of the urine stream; performance on midstream collections has not been determined.

 

This assay detects plasmid-free variants of Chlamydia trachomatis.

 

This assay does not detect Chlamydia pneumoniae or other Chlamydia species.

 

This assay has not been shown to cross-react with commensal (nonpathogenic) Neisseria species in the oropharynx.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

2. Adamson PC, Klausner JD. Diagnostic test for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in rectal and pharyngeal specimens. J Clin Microbiol. 2022;60(4):e0021121. doi:10.1128/JCM.00211-21

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The HOLOGIC APTIMA Combo 2 Assay combines the technologies of target capture, transcription-mediated amplification, and dual kinetic assay. The detection of the ribosomal RNA amplification product sequences (amplicon) is achieved using nucleic acid hybridization. Single-stranded chemiluminescent DNA probes are labeled and combined with amplicon to form stable RNA:DNA hybrids. Light emitted from the labeled RNA:DNA hybrids is measured as photon signals in a luminometer.(Package insert: APTIMA Combo 2 Assay, AW-25929-001. Hologic, Inc; Rev 002, 06/2023)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Sunday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

1 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

7 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

87491-Chlamydia trachomatis

87591-Neisseria gonorrhoeae

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CGRNA Chlamydia/Gonorrhoeae Amplified RNA 64017-7
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
SRC14 SOURCE: 31208-2
34874 Chlamydia trachomatis amplified RNA 43304-5
SRC17 SOURCE: 31208-2
34875 Neisseria gonorrhoeae amplified RNA 43305-2

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | PHP Pdf | CMS Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports