Evidence that the gonococcal porA pseudogene is present in a broad range of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains; suitability as a diagnostic target.

AIMS: The primary aim of the study was to determine if the gonococcal porA pseudogene is a stable sequence target for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by PCR.

METHODS: A total of 240 gonococcal strains from various geographic locations were tested by porA pseudogene PCR. In addition, porA pseudogene PCR positivity rates were compared with established gonococcal assays in three Australian states.

RESULTS: All N. gonorrhoeae isolates provided positive results in the porA pseudogene PCR. Positivity rates compared favourably with established gonococcal assays, with increased N. gonorrhoeae detection in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this multicentre study provide further evidence that the porA pseudogene is highly conserved across a diverse range N. gonorrhoeae strains and is a suitable PCR target for routine detection of N. gonorrhoeae.