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Test ID: STD PCR Panel
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) PCR
Commercially available Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay
Useful For

The detection of common pathogens causing sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Pathogens that can be detected on the  panel we use are listed below:

  • Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1)
  • Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV 2)
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Haemophilus ducreyi
  • Mycoplasma genitalium
  • Mycoplasma hominis
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Treponema pallidum
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum
  • Trichomonas vaginalis
Method name and description

Commercially available qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) -based assay
Reporting name

STD PCR Panel
Clinical information

Sexually transmitted diseases/ infections (STIs) are caused by a number of  bacteria, viruses or parasites. They are acquired from bodily fluids (like blood, urine, semen,saliva and other mucous-lined areas) during sex - usually vaginal, oral and anal sex or other sexual activities.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for STIs are highly sensitive and specific, allowing the detection of even small amounts of genetic material from the pathogen that causes the STD
Aliases
  • STD
  • STD PCR
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection
  • STI
  • STI PCR
Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container

Specimen type

  • Endocervical swab
  • Urethral swab
  • Urine

 

Specimen volume

For urine

  • Minimum 1.0mL

 

Specimen container

For swabs:

Collected in  eNat Medium (available from the HGH microbiology laboratory).

For Urine:

Sterile leak proof container with no preservative
Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection

Collection instructions

Urine

  • Collect in the recommended sterile container 

Endocervical swab

  • Introduce speculum into vagina to obtain a clear view of cervix.
  • Swab should be rotated gently in the endocervical canal.
  • Swab should be placed in eNat Medium. Break the shaft at the demarcated line and close the cap tightly.

Urethral swab (male patients only)

  • Contamination from the foreskin should be avoided.
  • The patient should not have passed urine for at least one hour.
  • If a discharge is not apparent, attempts should be made to "milk" exudate from the penis.
  • The swab is gently passed through the urethral meatus and rotated.
Relevant clinical information to be provided
  • Relevant clinical history indicating  need for the test.
  • Antibiotic therapy
Storage and transport instructions

≤ 2 hours at room temperature.

> 2 hour, store at 2-8 C. Specimen would reach the laboratory within 24 hrs of collection.
Specimen Rejection Criteria
  • Samples not pre-approved by the  Infectious Diseases team
  • No relevant clinical details provided with the request. (Please note that where applicable, the relevant clinical details should reflect those on the patient’s electronic record at the time the order was placed).
  • Improper container
  • Leaking specimen
  • Unlabeled/Mislabeled specimen
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Duplicate sample received within 72 hrs 
  • Duplicate sample for Neisseria gonorrheae and Trichomonas vaginalis within 7 days of a positive result
  • Duplicate samples for the other listed STI organisms within 4 weeks of a positive result
  • Urine sample received in boric acid urine container
Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values

Negative result

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) - Negative

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) - Negative

Chlamydia trachomatis - Negative

Haemophilus ducreyi - Negative

Mycoplasma genitalium - Negative

Mycoplasma hominis - Negative

Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Negative

Treponema pallidum - Negative

Ureaplasma urealyticum - Negative

Trichomonas vaginalis - Negative

Positive result (depending on which pathogen is detected)

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) - Positive

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) - Positive

Chlamydia trachomatis - Positive

Haemophilus ducreyi - Positive

Mycoplasma genitalium - Positive

Mycoplasma hominis - Positive

Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Positive

Treponema pallidum - Positive

Ureaplasma urealyticum - Positive

Trichomonas vaginalis - Positive
Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
  • Improper Container
  • Improper  Transport
  • Urine sample received in boric acid container

 
Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time

Turnaround time 

  • 24 hrs.

 Days and times test performed 

  • Daily 7am-3 pm. This test is only performed in HGH microbiology laboratory. Specimens received in other microbiology laboratories will be sent to the HGH microbiology laboratory for testing.

Specimen retention time

  • 48 hrs. after final report

Hamad Medical Corporation

HMC is the principal public healthcare provider in the State of Qatar, delivering the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to each and every one of our patients.

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