Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae with the cobas CT/NG v2.0 test: performance compared with the BD ProbeTec CT Qx and GC Qx amplified DNA and Aptima AC2 assays.

OBJECTIVES: Infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are among the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide, most of which are asymptomatic. Detection of infection using a variety of specimen types in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects is important to effectively combat CT/NG infections. The performance of the cobas CT/NG v2.0 test was assessed for urogenital swabs, urine and cervical cytology samples collected in PreservCyt Solution from 5266 symptomatic and asymptomatic women (including 202 who were pregnant), and urine from 738 men. METHODS: Sensitivity and specificity were estimated compared with a patient infected status determined using two US Food and Drug Administration-cleared nucleic acid amplification tests. RESULTS: Among 6004 participants, 487 CT (8.1%) and 159 NG (2.6%) infections were identified. Sensitivity estimates for CT for women ranged from 91.2% to 97.6% depending on specimen type, and the estimate for male urine specimens was 98.4%. Specificity for CT ranged from 99.2% to 99.7%. Sensitivity estimates for NG ranged from 95.6% to 100.0% for women, and the estimate for men was 100.0%. Specificity for NG ranged from 99.3% to 100.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The cobas CT/NG v2.0 test performs well using urogenital swabs, urine and cervical samples collected in PreservCyt solution.

Performance of the cobas CT/NG test compared to the Aptima AC2 and Viper CTQ/GCQ assays for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The next-generation amplification test for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Roche cobas 4800), a fully automated system, was compared head to head, using female samples, to Gen-Probe Aptima Combo 2 and BD ProbeTec using Viper. Endocervical swabs, female urine, and endocervical samples in liquid-based cytology medium were run on at least two of three platforms. A total of 4,316 samples were evaluated, and 281 chlamydial and 69 gonococcal infections were identified. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity were obtained relative to the patient infection standard (PIS) and using latent class analysis (LCA). Chlamydia sensitivity estimates ranged from 86.9 to 95.6% using PIS and 97.6 to 98% using LCA. Specificity was ≥ 99.6% for all sample types. Sensitivity ranged from 95.6 to 100% using PIS and 96.9 to 100% using LCA for the detection of gonococcal infections. Specificity for gonococcal infections was ≥ 99.8%. cobas 4800 performance was equivalent to the comparator assays (all P values, >0.05), and the fully automated system provides high laboratory efficiency.

Evaluation of the Roche cobas® CT/NG test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in male urine.

BACKGROUND: The Roche cobas® CT/NG test (c4800), performed on the cobas 4800 system, is a new diagnostic assay using an automated workstation to isolate nucleic acids from clinical specimens and a real-time instrument for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). This study compared the performance characteristics of the c4800 with the Becton Dickinson ProbeTec™ CT/GC Q(x) assay (Q(x)) and Gen-Probe® Aptima Combo 2 (AC2) assay for the detection of CT and NG in male urine using patient-infected-status (PIS). METHODS: Urine and urethral swabs were obtained from men attending STD, family planning, or OB/GYN clinics from 11 geographically distinct locations. Aliquot order was randomized for urine specimens between AC2, c4800, and Q(x). Urethral swabs were randomized between AC2 and Q(x). Urethral swabs were only used to define PIS and were not tested on the c4800. A participant was considered infected if the 2 comparator assays with different molecular targets had positive results from either sample type. RESULTS: A total of 790 men were screened, with 768 evaluable for CT and NG. Symptoms were reported in 296 (38.5%) participants. For urine, the overall sensitivity and specificity of the c4800 assay for CT were 97.6% and 99.5%, respectively, when compared with PIS. Sensitivity and specificity for NG were 100% and 99.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The c4800 has excellent sensitivity and specificity for male urine specimens when compared with PIS. Assay performance was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic men and was equivalent to nucleic acid amplification tests that are currently on the market.

Moving forward-the 2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines for Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursors and beyond: implications and suggestions for laboratories.

The 2019 ASCCP Risk Based Management Consensus Guidelines for prevention of cervical cancer promote clinical management recommendations aligned with our increased understanding of HPV biology and cervical carcinogenesis. They employ HPV-based testing as the basis for risk estimation, allow for personalized risk-based management by incorporating knowledge of current results with prior results, and streamline incorporation of new test methods as they are validated. They continue to support the principles of "equal management for equal risk" and "balancing harms and benefits" adopted in the 2012 version of the guidelines. These updated guidelines will be able to adjust for decreasing CIN3+ risks as more patients who received HPV vaccination reach screening age. Pathology organizations were closely involved in the development of these guidelines. Herein the pathologists who served as representatives to the 2019 ASCCP guidelines steering committee and workgroups, summarize the changes that are relevant to laboratories, pathologists, and cytotechnologists. Prior relevant screening and reporting recommendations that have not been widely and/or inconsistently adopted by laboratories are also discussed and considerations for modification of laboratory practices offered.

The MonoPrep Pap test for the detection of cervical cancer and its precursors. Part I: results of a multicenter clinical trial.

The MonoPrep Pap Test (MPPT; MonoGen, Lincolnshire, IL) is a novel, liquid-based specimen collection and processing technology for cytologic and molecular testing. Its usefulness in the detection of cervical cancer and its precursors was evaluated in a multicenter, masked, adjudicated, split-sample study of 10,739 samples. After preparation of a conventional smear, the residuum on the collection device was rinsed into a collection vial from which an MPPT slide was prepared. Accuracy was assessed by masked reference interpretation by an independent pathologist. Slides prepared by MPPT, compared with smears, yielded statistically significant increases in relative sensitivity for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and worse, atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/atypical glandular cells and worse, and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and worse. There was no significant difference in relative specificity. MPPT provided a 58% reduction in unsatisfactory slides. There was no significant difference in the presentation of endocervical/transformation zone component or the detection of benign conditions. The MPPT is a promising new liquid-based technology for cervical cancer screening.