Original Research

Implementation and evaluation of the Presto combined qualitative real-time assay for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Rwanda

Vicky Cuylaerts, Irith De Baetselier, Claude M. Muvunyi, Lambert Mwambarange, Hilde Smet, John Rusine, Viateur Musengamana, Janneke van de Wijgert, Tania Crucitti
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 8, No 1 | a739 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v8i1.739 | © 2019 Vicky Cuylaerts, Irith De Baetselier, Claude M. Muvunyi, Lambert Mwambarange, Hilde Smet, John Rusine, Viateur Musengamana, Janneke van de Wijgert, Tania Crucitti | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 19 December 2017 | Published: 18 April 2019

About the author(s)

Vicky Cuylaerts, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, STI Reference Laboratory, Antwerp, Belgium
Irith De Baetselier, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, STI Reference Laboratory, Antwerp, Belgium
Claude M. Muvunyi, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Lambert Mwambarange, Legacy Clinics and Diagnostics, Kigali, South Africa
Hilde Smet, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, STI Reference Laboratory, Antwerp, Belgium
John Rusine, National Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Kigali, Rwanda
Viateur Musengamana, Rinda Ubuzima, Kigali, Rwanda
Janneke van de Wijgert, Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Tania Crucitti, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, STI Reference Laboratory, Antwerp, Belgium

Abstract

Background: The Presto combined qualitative real-time assay for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Presto CT/NG PCR assay) is appealing for developing countries, because it can be used with multiple DNA extraction methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platforms.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to implement and evaluate the Presto CT/NG PCR assay at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Kigali, Rwanda, where no real-time PCR assays for the detection of C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae were available.

Methods: The Presto CT/NG PCR assay was first evaluated at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium. Next, NRL laboratory technicians were trained to use the assay on their ABI PRISM 7500 real-time PCR instrument and their competencies were assessed prior to trial initiation. During the trial, endocervical swabs were tested at the NRL, with bi-monthly external quality control testing monitored by the ITM. The final NRL results were evaluated against extended gold standard testing at the ITM, consisting of the Abbott m2000 RealTime System with confirmation of positive results by an in-house real-time PCR assay for C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae.

Results: Of the 192 samples analysed using the Presto assay at the NRL, 16 samples tested positive for C. trachomatis and 17 tested positive for N. gonorrhoeae; four of these were infected with both. The sensitivity and specificity of the Presto assay were 93.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 68.1% – 99.8%) and 99.4% (95% CI: 96.8% – 100%) for C. trachomatis and 100% (95% CI: 76.8% – 100%) and 98.8% (95% CI: 95.8% – 99.9%) for N. gonorrhoeae.

Conclusion: C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae testing with the Presto assay was feasible in Kigali, Rwanda, and good performance was achieved.


Keywords

qPCR; Chlamydia trachomatis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae

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