Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Potential conflicts of interest. The authors: No reported conflicts of interest. For commercial re-use, please contact journals. Pooling samples is a promising technique, but no data are available when pooled screening also includes Mycoplasma genitalium MG. The main objective of this study was to examine the sensitivity of pooled samples for detecting CT, NG, and MG in MSM using nucleic acid amplification versus single-site testing.
Separate samples were sent to a central virological department that proceeded to form the pooled samples. Testing was performed using the multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction Allplex STI Essential Assay Seegene, Seoul, Korea , which can simultaneously detect 7 pathogens.
A total of The sensitivities of pooled-sample testing were Missed infections with a very low bacterial load could have a low impact on further transmission. Clinical Trials Registration. Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis , Mycoplasma genitalium , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , pooled samples, sexually transmitted infections.
Missed detection occurred only for samples with a low bacterial load. Both infections are increasing in high-income countries such as France [ 2 ], the United States, the United Kingdom [ 3 ], and Australia [ 3 ], particularly among men who have sex with men MSM.
The majority of extragenital CT and NG infections found in MSM are asymptomatic [ 4 ], and regular screening is required to diagnose and treat them to prevent ongoing transmission of these bacteria. Most guidelines [ 4β7 ] recommend extragenital screening in MSM and women based on a reported sexual history of receptive anal sex and giving oral sex.
