We've updated our Privacy Policy to make it clearer how we use your personal data. We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. You can read our Cookie Policy here.

Advertisement

Qiagen Introduces the Artus® C. trachomatis Plus PCR Kit

Listen with
Speechify
0:00
Register for free to listen to this article
Thank you. Listen to this article using the player above.

Want to listen to this article for FREE?

Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.

Read time: 1 minute

Qiagen has announced the development of the CE-marked artus® C. trachomatis Plus PCR Kit, a sensitive, qualitative, 90-minute test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), even in the early stages of chlamydia infection.

The C. trachomatis bacterium contains 5 to 10 copies of a conserved 7.5 kb cryptic plasmid. Using this plasmid as a target enables sensitive detection of C. trachomatis.

However, since plasmid-free C. trachomatis bacteria have also been previously detected, conventional tests for C. trachomatis that are based solely on detection of the chlamydial cryptic plasmid do not always provide reliable testing.

In order to detect plasmid-free variants of C. trachomatis, Qiagen Hamburg GmbH has developed a detection system that detects a region of the ompA gene in addition to sequences on the cryptic plasmid.

"This highly sensitive, qualitative detection system enables early detection of chlamydia during routine testing, enabling diagnosis of chlamydia infection in the early stages of infection, even with plasmid-free variants of C. trachomatis. This is a significant step forward in chlamydia detection," said Dr. Ulrich Spengler, managing director of Qiagen Hamburg GmbH.

Dr. Spengler adds, "Because serious consequences, such as sterility and blindness, can be prevented by early treatment."

"In contrast to traditional methods, the artus C. trachomatis Plus PCR Kit is the only system worldwide that detects both the chlamydial cryptic plasmid and the ompA gene in parallel."

Artus C. trachomatis Plus PCR Kits are ready-to-use reagent systems for detection of C. trachomatis DNA by real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

An internal control, supplied with the kits, serves as a control for DNA purification and to detect false negatives due to possible PCR inhibition.

Qiagen claims that, excellent sensitivity and specificity has been demonstrated during validation of the kits using swab, urine, and sperm samples.

artus C. trachomatis Plus PCR Kits are CE-marked and licensed for PCR. The kits are available for use with LightCycler® Instruments 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, or 2.0, with the Rotor-Gene™ 3000, or with the artus 3000™. The kits are currently not available in America.