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Gonorrhea: detection of gonococci
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Gonococci are normally absent from the material from the urethra.
PCR allows to establish the presence of gonococcal DNA directly and to quantitatively express their concentration in the test material. The test material can be sputum, lavage fluid, urine, punctures from various organs and cysts, etc. The test has species specificity and high sensitivity (more than 95%). PCR diagnostics of gonorrhea gives positive results even in chronic forms of the disease, when the results of bacterioscopic and bacteriological studies are negative.
Detection of gonococci in material using PCR is used to diagnose gonococcal infection and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
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