MIAMI — Talent Testing Services Inc. announced today that its testing methodologies for gonorrhea are ready to detect the new strain referenced as “H041.”
“Our testing methodologies in place have been developed and cleared to detect these emerging strains,” said Sixto Pacheco, president and CEO of TTS. “The Aptima Combo 2 assay for gonorrhea and [chlamydia] targets the ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea occurs due to mutations in genes other than those that express rRNA. Because we target the rRNA for detection of gonorrhea, which is not affected by the mutations, the Aptima Combo 2 assay will detect the drug resistant strains of gonorrhea .”
Pacheco said that TTS is at the forefront of testing methodologies due to its strategic partnerships with diagnostic manufacturers that permit TTS to work proactively to introduce and maintain the most advanced testing methodologies and provide these to the adult industry.
TTS has long offered testing for HIV RNA by PCR methodology, which detects the presence of the virus earlier than all other tests.
Testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and others is also available.