Clinical Information

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the major cause of genital chlamydial infections in men and women.  CT can cause nongonococcal urethritis, epididymitis, proctitis, cervicitis, acute salpingitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).  CT infections are often asymptomatic in both males and females.  Children born to infected mothers are at significantly higher risk for inclusion conjunctivitis and chlamydial pneumonia.

N. gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonococcal (GC) infections, the majority of which are uncomplicated lower genital tract infections and may be asymptomatic.  However, if left untreated in women, infections can ascend and cause PID which can manifest as endometriosis, salpingitis, pelvic peritonitis, and tubo-ovarian abscesses.  A smaller percentage of persons with gonococcal infections may develop disseminated Gonococcal Infection.

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) agent in the United States.  Infection with the protozoa in women can cause vaginitis, urethritis, and cervicitis.  Complications can include premature labor, low-birth-weight offspring, premature rupture of membranes, and post-abortion or post-hysterectomy infection.

The Mycoplasma genitalium assay uses the APTIMA target nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the qualitative detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Mycoplasma genitalium to aid in the diagnosis of M. genitalium urogenital infections in male and female patients.