Reagents and methods for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Abstract

This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sample. This invention also provides related reaction mixtures, kits, systems, and computers.

1 . An oligonucleotide consisting of a nucleic acid with a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOS: 3-27 and complements thereof.  
     
     
         2 . An oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic acid with a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOS: 3-27 and complements thereof, which oligonucleotide has 50 or fewer nucleotides.  
     
     
         3 . The oligonucleotide of  claim 2 , wherein the oligonucleotide comprises a probe nucleic acid or a primer nucleic acid.  
     
     
         4 . The oligonucleotide of  claim 2 , wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleotide.  
     
     
         5 . The oligonucleotide of  claim 2 , wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one label and/or at least one quencher moiety.  
     
     
         6 . A kit, comprising: 
 (a) at least one oligonucleotide that has between 12 and 50 nucleotides, which oligonucleotide comprises at least 95% sequence identity with a subsequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, or a complement thereof; and one or more of:    (b) instructions for determining a presence of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  in a sample by monitoring binding between nucleic acids and/or amplicons thereof from the sample and the oligonucleotide, wherein the presence of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  in the sample is unknown or unsubstantiated; or,    (c) at least one container for packaging at least the oligonucleotide.    
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the oligonucleotide has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOS: 3-27, a substantially identical variant thereof wherein the variant has at least 95% sequence identity to one of SEQ ID NOS: 3-27, and complements of SEQ ID NOS: 3-27 and the variant.  
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more nucleic acid detection reagents that detectably bind to a  Chlamydia trachomatis  nucleic acid.  
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one enzyme.