Comparison of Two Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests to Culture for the Detection of Pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae

� A recent laboratory advancement in the diagnoses of gonorrhea and chlamydia has been the introduction of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). The enhanced sensitivity afforded by these methods (e.g. PCR, LCR, SDA, TMA)* allows for detection of lower numbers of these pathogens compared to the culture “gold standard” technique. Manufacturers of several STD amplification test kits have successfully received FDA clearance on their products for urine samples. In San Francisco, men who have sex with men (MSM) have a comparatively high rate of pharyngeal gonorrhea. Due to the potential for transmission, screening for the presence of pharyngeal gonorrhea is part of the routine protocol at the