West Coast Pathology Labs :: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (CTNG)

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West Coast Pathology Laboratories offers Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing using the sensitive PCR method. We are one of the first laboratories to offer this test from the ThinPrep® Pap Test vial. WCPL offers the "12 Test" Pap Test which includes the following tests: ThinPrep® Imager Pap Smear, Candidiasis, Trichomonas, Actinomycosis, HPV Detection, HPV Identification, Chlamydia, Gonococcus, Herpes Simplex I, Herpes Simplex II, Cystic Fibrosis, Thrombophilia.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, infecting approximately three to five million Americans annually. Unfortunately, there are often no symptoms and, if left untreated, these infections may lead to severe complications. Many professional organizations, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), recommend that the following patient populations be screened for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

All patients under the age of 25 (annual screening)
All other patients who are considered high risk
History of multiple sexual partners or a sexual partner with multiple contacts
Sexual contact with persons with culture-proven STDs
History of repeated episodes of STDs
Attendance at clinics for STDs

In addition, all obstetrics patients should be screened in order to prevent transmitting the disease to their infant during birth.

West Coast Pathology Laboratories is using Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing method called Polymerase Chain Reaction. This test method will detect Chlamydia and Gonorrhea by using a multiplex PCR to amplify sequences specific to each disease. This PCR-based method provides increased sensitivity and specificity in comparison with all other previously used methodologies.

WCPL is making this testing easy for you. In addition to the HPV test, you can order Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing directly from the ThinPrep® Pap Test vial. This means you only have to collect on sample. More importantly, you can send your Pap test, HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea samples and your biopsies to the same laboratory. The diagnostic quality available at West Coast Pathology Laboratories is unparalleled in the industry. Our board-certified cytopathologists pool their medical expertise when consulting on unique or difficult cases and provide personal consultations. We have superior turnaround times for Pap tests and biopsies.

Comparison of Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Testing Technologies

Test Type	Cell Culture	NAAT Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)	Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA)	Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)	Nucleic Acid Probe Hybrid Capture II (Digene)
Preferred Test	No	Yes	No	No	No
Collection Site	Endocervical, urethral, rectal, conjuctival, pulmonary	Male and female urine, endocervical, and urethral swabs	Endocervical, urethral, rectal, conjuctival, nasopharyngeal	Endocervical, urethral, rectal, conjuctival	Endocervical, urethral, rectal, conjuctival
Sensitivity	75-85%	90-95%	70-75%	50-75%	65-75%
Specificity	100%	98-100%	95-99%	95-99%	95-99%
Test Advantage	Only test acceptable for medico legal purposes	More Sensitive. Non-invasive urine specimens in addition to genital swab.	Internally controlled for specimen adequacy. Refrigeration during transport not required.	Automated test. Refrigeration during transport not required	Semi-Automated. One swab for both Chlamydia & Gonorrhea.
Test Disadvantages	Less sensitive. Longer turn around time. Labor intensive.	Contamination of possible if specimen not handled properly in the clinic or lab. More costly.	Less sensitive. Technically difficult. Labor Intensive	Poor sensitivity. QA for specimen adequacy required.	Less sensitive. Confirmatory testing recommended.

Adapted from: USPHS region IX Infertility Prevention Project. Clinical Guidelines. San Francisco, CA: Region IX Infertility Prevention Project Advisory Committee, 1998.

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