For N. gonorrhoeae (GC) detection in a male with urethral discharge and a female with suspected cervical gonorrhoea, NAAT is preferred over culture. What is the primary advantage of NAAT over culture for gonorrhoea diagnosis?
- A NAAT has higher sensitivity than culture especially for self-collected vaginal swabs and rectal/pharyngeal specimens, and does not require stringent transport conditions ✓
- B NAAT simultaneously provides antibiotic susceptibility results
- C NAAT is less expensive than culture in all settings
- D NAAT can distinguish viable from non-viable gonococci, reducing treatment overuse
Explanation
N. gonorrhoeae is fastidious (requires Thayer-Martin selective chocolate agar, CO2 atmosphere, immediate transport, temperature maintenance), reducing culture sensitivity, especially for rectal and pharyngeal specimens and when transport is delayed. NAAT amplifies gonococcal DNA and achieves sensitivity of 98-99% versus ~75-85% for culture, and can be performed on urine, self-collected vaginal swabs, and rectal/throat swabs. However, NAAT does not provide antimicrobial susceptibility data, which is critical given rising ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea; culture must be paired with NAAT in suspected treatment failures.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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