Detecting sexually transmitted diseases.

In the past, accurate detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the worlds most common sexually transmitted diseases, was difficult. Now, though, a break-through technology can catch even small amounts of chlamydia and gonorrhea bacteria in urine.

Using an amplified DNA probe technology called URIprobe, infection can be discovered in patients who otherwise would go undiagnosed. Early detection can mean a better prognosis and fewer complications such as ectopic pregnancies, pelvic inflammatory disease, or infertility, as well as a cutback in the spread of infection.

The URIprobe has demonstrated a sensitivity that is 30% greater than the standard tissue culture for chlamydia. It first isolates a single target DNA contained in a chlamydia and gonorrhea organism. The DNA then is amplified enzymatically using multiple cycles of heating and cooling. This process is repeated up to 40 times, with each strand of DNA being doubled every cycle. The result is a sample containing up to 1,000,000,000 copies of the...