Molecular diagnostics. The polymerase chain reaction and its use in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was performed using classical microbiological techniques of chlamydial cell culture and agar isolation respectively in patients studied in Pittsburgh. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared to standard procedures used for diagnosing these sexually transmitted organisms. Statistically significant differences were observed in molecular diagnostics versus classical isolation techniques. Numerous specimen handling problems were identified in the handling of Neisseria. The enhanced ability to diagnose these sexually transmitted organisms is discussed in relation to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).