Evaluation of the new AmpliSens multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Neisseriagonorrhoeae, Chlamydiatrachomatis, Mycoplasmagenitalium, and Trichomonasvaginalis

In this study, we performed an evaluation of the new CE-marked multiplex real-time AmpliSens N.gonorrhoeae/C.trachomatis/M.genitalium/T.vaginalis-MULTIPRIME-FRT PCR assay compared to APTIMA tests, i.e., APTIMA COMBO 2assay, APTIMA Trichomonasvaginalis assay (FDA-approved), and two different APTIMA Mycoplasmagenitalium assays (research use only; one of them only used for discrepancy analysis). Vaginal swabs (n=209) and first-void urine (FVU) specimens from females (n=498) and males (n=554), consecutive attendees (n=1261) at a dermatovenerological clinic in Sweden, were examined. The sensitivity of the AmpliSens PCR assay for detection of C.trachomatis (6.3% prevalence), M.genitalium (5.7% prevalence), N.gonorrhoeae (0.3% prevalence), and T.vaginalis (0.08% prevalence) was 97.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 91.2-99.6%), 81.9% (95% CI: 70.7-89.7%), 100% (95% CI: 40.2-100%) and 100% (95% CI: 16.5-100%), respectively. The specificity of the AmpliSens PCR assay was 100% (95% CI: 99.6-100%) for all agents. The analytical sensitivity and specificity for N.gonorrhoeae detection was excellent, i.e., 55 international gonococcal strains detected and 135 isolates of 13 non-gonococcal Neisseria species were negative. In conclusion, the multiplex real-time AmpliSens N.gonorrhoeae/C.trachomatis/M.genitalium/T.vaginalis-MULTIPRIME-FRT PCR assay demonstrated high sensitivity and excellent specificity for the detection of C.trachomatis, N.gonorrhoeae, and T.vaginalis, and excellent specificity but suboptimal sensitivity for M.genitalium detection.