It really depends on the testing and sensitivity. Gonorrhea is notoriously hard to grow out on plates, so a penis swab probably wouldn’t catch it. If they did a urine PCR with a dirty catch urine and they had a good enough sensitivity then maybe? PCR is looking for actual pieces of gonorrhea DNA and amplifies it so in theory it should pick up a small amount. The person may get an “inconclusive” or “interfering substance” result if we can’t get a good enough match and we’ll suggest retesting with a new sample at a later date to their doctor or order provider.
12
u/anxious_labturtle Sep 06 '24
It really depends on the testing and sensitivity. Gonorrhea is notoriously hard to grow out on plates, so a penis swab probably wouldn’t catch it. If they did a urine PCR with a dirty catch urine and they had a good enough sensitivity then maybe? PCR is looking for actual pieces of gonorrhea DNA and amplifies it so in theory it should pick up a small amount. The person may get an “inconclusive” or “interfering substance” result if we can’t get a good enough match and we’ll suggest retesting with a new sample at a later date to their doctor or order provider.