Detection of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in clinical samples with polimerase chain reaction (PCR)

57 SUMMARY The aim of this study is to analyse urethral and cervical samples for the presence of N.gonorrhoeae using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR assay was performed on 77 clinical samples to evaluate the specifity of the chosen cppB primers. An amplified product of 390 bp was observed in 13 samples and each of these products after digestion with the restriction enzyme Mspl produced two bands of 250 bp and 140 bp. Of the 77 clinical samples, 4 were culture positive and 6 were Gram stain positive and PCR succesfully detected all these positives. Additionally, Gram staining negative 7 samples and Gram staining positive but culture negative 2 samples were found to be positive in PCR assay. In conclusion PCR assay is a promising alternative diagnostic tool for detection of N. gonorrhoeae directly from clinical samples.