Positive Predictive Value of Gen-Probe APTIMA Combo 2 Testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a Population of Women with Low Prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae Infection

We collected specimens from women who tested positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the Gen-Probe APTIMA Combo 2 (AC2), and we performed confirmatory tests using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) that targets alternate gonococcal nucleic acid sequences. Among 59,664 specimens, 280 (0.47%) had positive results using AC2; 265 of these specimens were tested using the confirmatory NAAT, of which 258 yielded positive results (positive predictive value, 97.4%; 95% confidence interval, 95.1%-98.8%). Routine confirmatory testing of specimens with positive AC2 gonorrhea test results is not indicated.