| abstract |
Disclosed herein is a newly-identified DNA sequence from Neisseria gonorrhoeae designated GC3. Also disclosed are methods, oligonucleotide probes, amplification primers, and kits for the species-specific detection of N. gonorrhoeae. Preferably, N. gonorrhoeae is detected by amplifying the N. gonorrhoeae nucleic acids using the disclosed amplification primers, and then detecting the amplified nucleic acids. In a more preferred embodiment, N. gonorrhoeae nucleic acids are amplified and detected by thermophilic strand displacement amplification (tSDA). Also preferred are methods for detecting N. gonorrhoeae that are employed in conjunction with methods for detecting other sexually-transmitted pathogens, in particular, Chlamydia trachomatis. |