Laboratory Diagnosis of Gonorrhea by a Simple Transformation Test with a Temperature-sensitive Mutant of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A temperature-sensitive mutant of N. gonorrhoeae strain tsA-1 was used in a transformation test for the laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhea in humans. This transformatoin test (C test) is based on a spotting of a DNA lysate, obtained through simple base-acid extraction of a cervical-swab specimen, onto a lawn tsA-1, which is then incubated for 1-2 days at 37.degree. C of 1053 cervical-swab specimens tested, 52 contained the gonococcal DNA necessary for restoring the ability oftsA-1 to grow well at 37.degree. C; 49 of the 52 specimens were identified as N. gonorrhoeae by routine diagnostic laboratory procedures. The time required for the C test is 2-3 days which is shorter than that required for routine diagnostic laboratory tests; C test involves a minimum of common laboratory supplies and expertise. The discrepancies between results of the C test and routine procedures were explained. In 1 case an isolate suspected to be N. gonorrhoeae was nonreactive in the sugar fermentation test, and in 2 cases the agar plates were overgrown with yeasts; neither situation affected the C test.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: