Chlamydia / Gonorrhea Section

Detection by Nucleic Acid Amplified Test (NAAT)

Polymerase Chain Reaction Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are major causes of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, including trachomatis, urethritis, cervicitis, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). These two organisms are also responsible for neonatal infections acquired by passing through the birth canal, including pneumonia and inclusion conjunctivitis.

Chlamydia are classified into three subgroups - C. trachomatis (Subgroup A) causes STD-associated infections; C. psittaci (Subgroup B) is an animal pathogen responsible for accidental human infections of Psittacosis-Ornithosis and meningopneumonitis, and C. pneumoniae (Subgroup C), formerly known as the TWAR variant, is a significant respiratory pathogen. Direct questions about C. psittaci and C. pneumonia testing by CDC to the Virology Laboratory at 785-296-1644.

Chlamydia are obligate intracellular parasites, classified as gram negative bacteria, but require a host cell culture for propagation. Neisseria are also gram negative bacteria with similar pathology; however, they can be cultured in selective media as free-living bacteria. Call the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory at 785-296-1634 for information about N gonorrhoeae culture.

The Chlamydia/Gonorrhea Section uses a nucleic acid amplified test (NAAT) to detect C. trachomatis and/or N gonorrhoeae RNA from a single male or female urogenital specimen. This testing service is only provided to select groups of public health clients. See the Laboratory Quick Reference Guide for additional information on Chlamydia and GC testing.