Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigen by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay

The Gonozyme test (Abbott Laboratories) is a new enzyme immunoassay for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens in specimens from the urethra in men and the endocervix in women. To evaluate the usefulness of the assay 249 patients were investigated. The results obtained with the immunoassay were compared with those of culture and microscopy of Gram-stained smears. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were high in men with urethritis and acceptable in different groups of women. As the sensitivity of the Gonozyme test was much higher than that of microscopy for endocervical specimens it might be useful as a rapid screening test for the detection of gonorrhoea in women.