Detection of N. gonorrhoeae from Vaginal Swabs of Ewin, Rajaii Shahr, Karaj and Varamin Female Prisoners by PCR and Culture Methods

Isolation of N. gonorrhoeae by culture method is currently the gold standard for the definitive diagnosis of gonorrhoea. However, PCR techniques are being used more frequently as sensitivity and specificity of the newer tests are improved. In this study, 500 vaginal swabs from Ewin, Rajaii shahr, Karaj and Varamin female prisoners were used for detection of N. gonorrhoae by culture and PCR techniques. Five hundred vaginal swabs from Ewin, Rajaii shahr, Karaj and Varamin female prisoners were cultured in modified Thayer Martin in 37°C with 5% CO2 for 72 h. Oxidase, catalase tests, biochemical tests such as maltose and glucose oxidation and gram staining, were used to confirm the isolated species. Amplification by PCR using 2 targets which are specific for N. gonorrhoeae, Ngu1 and Ngu2, were used to detect the presence of gonococcal specific DNA. Despite of finding some questionable samples as N. gonorrhoeae by using biochemical tests, PCR method confirmed that none of them were positive for N. gonorrhoeae. This study deals with detection of N. gonorrhoeae among woman prisoners in three main prisons in Tehran, Iran. The high specificity and sensitivity coupled with low cost and rapidity of the method (PCR) provided a substantial advantages over the time consuming culture methods currently used in hospitals and laboratories.