Rapid Optical Immunoassay for Gonorrhea

A rapid new test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC species) incorporates scientific advances that overcome prior obstacles to developing a rapid immunoassay for this disease.

The optical immunoassay (OIA) is the only specific, rapid test for GC from an endocervical swab for females and from urine for males. The assay detects the proprietary L7/L12 ribosomal protein marker, a new marker found within the cell that is unique in the rapid diagnostics test market. The test also uses a patented accessory, the urine filtration device (UFD), to concentrate and extract the antigen from male urine prior to placement on the OIA platform.

By focusing on the detection of L7/L12, which is only present in GC, the OIA test is very specific and does not show cross reactivity to other Neisseria species. The development of tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been difficult because of the difficulty of identifying single protein targets found only in GC, in all strains of GC, and not in other species. The test was developed by Thermo BioStar's Point of Care and Rapid Diagnostics business unit (Louisville, CO, USA).

"The ability to accurately detect gonorrhea will be of great value to our customers, and this test is specific, quick, and easy to use. The launch of the GC OIA product allows clinicians to implement a test-and-treat strategy for better patient management,” said Lewis Rosenblum, president of Thermo Electron's clinical diagnostics division.




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