PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - K Eastick
AU  - J P Leeming
AU  - E O Caul
AU  - P J Horner
AU  - M R Millar
TI  - A novel polymerase chain reaction assay to detect <em>Mycoplasma genitalium</em>
AID  - 10.1136/mp.56.1.25
DP  - 2003 Feb 01
TA  - Molecular Pathology
PG  - 25--28
VI  - 56
IP  - 1
4099  - http://mp.bmj.com/content/56/1/25.short
4100  - http://mp.bmj.com/content/56/1/25.full
SO  - Mol Pathol2003 Feb 01; 56
AB  - Aims: To design and validate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Mycoplasma genitalium. Methods: Primers were designed that were complementary to the 16S rRNA gene sequence of M genitalium. After optimisation of the reaction conditions, the PCR was tested against nine M genitalium strains, a dilution series of M genitalium DNA, and a panel of common microorganisms. The PCR was also challenged in parallel with a published assay against 54 urine specimens from men with urethritis. Results: The expected 341 bp product was produced on amplification of material from all M genitalium strains and from none of the other microorganisms tested. The lower limit of detection was 50 genome copies. The new assay detected M genitalium DNA in nine of 54 men with urethritis, in comparison with eight positive specimens detected with the alternative PCR. Conclusions: This novel PCR targeting the M genitalium 16S rRNA gene has been optimised and now provides a sensitive and specific alternative or addition to the available MgPa gene targeting assays.