Milroy Moses, Microbiologist II
Kelly McPhail, Microbiologist III
Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories
Telephone Number: 785-296-1645

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Detection by Culture or by a Nucleic Acid Amplified Test (NAAT)

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are major causes of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, including trachomatis, urethritis, cerivicits, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). These two organisms are also responsible for infections acquired by neonates as they pass through the birth canal, including pneumonia and inclusion conjuctivitis. Chlamydia are classified into three subgroups; STD-associated infections are caused by C. trachomatis (Subgroup A), C. psittaci (Subgroup B) is an animal pathogen responsible for accidental human infections of Psittacosis-Ornithosis and meningopneumonitis, and C. pneumoniae (Subgroup C), formerly known as the TWAR variant, is a significant respiratory pathogen. Direct questions about submitting C. psittaci and C. pneumonia testing by CDC to the Virology Laboratory at 785-296-1645.

Chlamydia are obligate intracellular parasites, classified as gram negative bacteria, but requiring a host cell culture for propagation. Neisseria are also gram negative bacteria with similar pathology; however, they can be cultured in selective media as free-living bacteria. For information concerning culturing of N. gonorrhoeae, see the Manual of Health Laboratory Tests (.pdf) or call the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory at 785-296-1633.

The Chlamydia/Gonorrhea Section uses a nucleic acid amplified test NAAT for the detection of both C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae from a single male or female urogenital specimen. This testing service is only provided to select group of public health related clients. See the Manual of Health Laboratory Tests (.pdf) for additional information on the specific patient populations tested. C. trachomatis culture is available for all medical-legal cases, with the proper chain-of-custody paperwork submitted. Call 785-368-8324 or 785-296-1644 for issues regarding chlamydia culture.