Development of a qPCR-based assay for STI detection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a qPCR-based assay for STI detection
IRAS ID
238582
Contact name
Henry M Staines
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) cause three of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, the World Health Organization estimates that TV causes approximately one-half of all curable STIs globally. Each of these STIs is associated with poor sexual or reproductive health outcomes in women, if left untreated. Therefore, prompt diagnosis is essential. The most sensitive detection assays are based on nucleic acid amplification tests (including quantitative PCR, qPCR), are undertaken in central laboratories and have turnaround times measured in days. The development of cheap, robust, easy to use, rapid, point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics for routine STI diagnosis would greatly simplify the patient pathway, allowing “test and treat” solutions. The aim of this project is to develop a prototype triplex CT/NG/TV qPCR-based assay for future integration into a PoC test. Firstly, the prototype assay will be assessed with commercially available or commissioned reference material. Secondly, the prototype assay will be tested on clinical samples to determine sensitivity and specificity.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0284
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion