Detection method for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
A method of detecting the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sample. The method involves detecting a first target sequence taken from the NGO1642 gene and/or a second target sequence taken from the NGO1012 gene. The method may involve a step of amplifying the target sequence, and may involve hybridising the target sequence to a nucleic acid probe and identifying hybridisation. The method may involve simultaneous detection of other target sequences, e.g. from other pathogens.
1. A method of detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sample, said method comprising:
amplifying a sequence within SEQ ID NO: 1 using a pair of primers that produces an amplicon comprising a target sequence therein, wherein said target sequence comprises 23 to 140 contiguous nucleotides within SEQ ID NO: 1; and
wherein said primer pair comprises a forward primer comprising 18 to 22 contiguous nucleotides within SEQ ID NO: 4 and a reverse primer comprising 19 to 26 contiguous nucleotides within SEQ ID NO: 5;
hybridizing said target sequence to a labelled probe complimentary to said target sequence to determine a presence of said target sequence.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying a state of said labelled probe, wherein said state determines an occurrence of hybridization.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting for a presence of Chlamydia trachomatis or Trichomonas vaginalis.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a sequence comprising 5 contiguous nucleotides within SEQ ID No: 3.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or both primers comprise modified nucleotides.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the modified nucleotides comprise phosphorothioate linkages.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the primers and probe comprise locked nucleic acids.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises an electrochemical label.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the electrochemical label is a metal-carbocyclic label.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electrochemical label is a ferrocene label.