The Molecular Diagnosis of Lymphogranuloma Venereum: Evaluation of a Real-Time Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Test Using Rectal and Urethral Specimens

Abstract

The real-time M-PCR assay simultaneously detects and differentiates LGV from non-LGV strains using swab specimens. This assay offers a relatively rapid and sensitive alternative for the diagnosis of LGV infection and is a useful tool for screening and for outbreak investigations.

Case report: lymphogranuloma venereum proctitis—from rapid screening to molecular confirmation of a masked sexually transmitted disease

“…This method could enable fast and simple pathogen screening, particularly in those laboratories and hospitals where PCR is not available. Moreover, our case confirms previous findings that a rectal swab can serve as a reliable specimen for PCR assay as an alternative to a tissue sample (Chen et al, 2007) although, to our knowledge, studies concerning direct comparison between tissue samples and swabs for PCR are missing.…”

“…Detection of specific antibodies against the pathogen may be useful for the demonstration of a significant change in titre; however, it does not allow a serogroup identification (van der Snoek et al, 2007). Therefore, serologic test results only can support diagnosis, which may be helpful particularly if direct detection has been unsuccessful (Chen et al, 2007;Herring and Richens, 2006). We demonstrate a significant decrease of IgA antibody titre against C. trachomatis in a followup sample obtained 5 months after treatment (Table 1).…”

Lymphogranuloma venereum proctocolitis: a silent endemic disease in men who have sex with men in industrialised countries

“…This technique can detect the LGV serovars, but it cannot distinguish between them. A multiplex RT-PCR specific to serovar L2, and a quadriplex RT-PCR that simultaneously detects LGV and non-LGV serovars and mixed infections have been developed more recently [54,55].…”

Impact of aciclovir on ulcer healing, lesional, genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA among patients with genital ulcer disease in Malawi

“…The diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum was based on a Chlamydia trachomatis L1eL3 strain-specific, real-time multiplex PCR assay developed by CDC. 18 At days 0 and 28, blood samples were tested for HIV, HSV-2 and syphilis serologies, and for HIV plasma viral load and CD4 T-lymphocyte count among HIV-seropositive participants. HIV-1 serostatus was determined at the clinic following a nationally recommended and quality-controlled algorithm (see online supplementary data) using two parallel rapid tests (Determine, Abbott Laboratories, Illinois, USA; and Uni-Gold, Trinity Biotech, Co Wicklow, Ireland), with discordant results resolved using an HIV-1 ELISA (Genetics Systems, Illinois, USA).…”