Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae NAA (Nucleic Acid Amplification and Detection)

Test ID LAB5814
EPIC Order CHLAMYDIA/GONORRHOEAE NAA
CPT Code(s) 87491, 87494 
Group/Individual Test Group
Laboratory Molecular Microbiology (984) 974-1820
Tube Station 82
Specimen Routine:
Urine (First stream) (2-30mL)
Endocervical swab
Urethral swab (Males only)
Vaginal swab
Rectal swab
Throat swab
Ocular swab
See Comments for additional specimen information
Availability Routine: Monday through Friday
Turnaround Time 3 days
Comments
  • This test is included in the Molecular STI Procedure Panel Micro memo #231
  • Assay performed using the FDA-approved Hologic Panther Aptima Combo2 test.
  • First stream urine samples are stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours, including transportation time. Urine specimens must be first-stream, with no urination within the last hour. Patient collection volumes for urine must be no less than 2mL, and no more than 30mL AT COLLECTION. Higher collection volumes of urine will result in decreased sensitivity and will not be accepted. Specimens must not be poured off to obtain a 30mL volume. Clean catch and catheterized urines are not acceptable.
  • A negative urine result for a female patient who is clinically suspected of having a gonococcal infection does not rule-out the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the urogenital tract. Further, a negative urine result for N. gonorrhoeae from a female has a lower negative predictive value than does an endocervical swab result. Testing of endocervical or vaginal specimens is recommended for female patients who are clinically suspected of having a gonococcal infection.
  • Swabs should be held and transported at room temperature. Use ONLY the Hologic APTIMA collection kit for swab samples. NOTE: The Hologic swabs are NOT acceptable for culture of any type.
  • Test of Cure C. trachomatis NAAT testing can be ordered using the combination test as indicated above, but write in the comment line “CHLAMYDIA TOC ONLY”. In general, practitioners should consider testing for BOTH chlamydia and gonorrhea with each specimen as the risk factors, signs and symptoms are not distinguishable. Note that test of cure for chlamydia is only recommended by the CDC for pregnant women. Testing should be performed 3 weeks after the completion of therapy, or the results may be falsely positive.
  • If you suspect therapeutic failure for gonorrhea, please refer to LAB5096.
  • Test sensitivity and specificity data are available here:

Reviewed by J. Carr on April 03, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514