PERFORMANCE OF 3-IN-1 POOLED SAMPLES FROM ANAL, RECTAL, AND THROAT OF GENEXPERT (R) CT/NG IN BALI, INDONESIA

Background Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) assay is the new tool that may diagnose gonorrhoea and or chlamydia more sensitive and specific. The test, however, is not widely used in Indonesia, time consuming and expensive. Pooling of samples may significantly reduce the cost while maintaining the effectiveness of the test with high specificity and sensitivity rate for the detection of CT/NG infections. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of 3-in-1 pooled samples from anal, rectal and throat of GenXpert CT/NG among MSM in Bali, Indonesia Methods A quantitative study was conducted between July 2017 and July 2018 in an MSM clinic in Bali. Xpert CT/NG samples were collected from throat, anal swab and first pass urine which then pooled into one cartridge. The pooled samples results were compared with each site results by CT/NG GeneXpert® assay. Results A total of 502 swabs were collected from 251 participants, comprises 251 pharyngeal and rectal swabs respectively, along with 251 First Pass Urine. Sensitivities and specificities of the GeneXpert® CT/NG assay was calculated using the pooled 3-in-1 sites compare to each site result as standard. 4/251 (1.5%) of rectal swab samples invalid and/or error by CT/NG GeneXpert® assay that most likely due to contamination with stools. The study shown the performance of 3-in-1 pooled samples (from anal, rectal and throat) of GeneXpert® CT/NG was highly effective due to the high rate of sensitivity and specificity, particularly from anal site as shown in table 1. Conclusion This is the first study ever conducted to report data on the performance of pooled samples of GeneXpert® CT/NG among MSM in Indonesia. Consistent with similar study in other countries using other NAT platform, this study found the high rate of sensitivity and specificity for CT/NG detection. To be concluded, pooled samples among MSM can be considered in the resource-constraint setting. Disclosure No significant relationships.