Real-time polymerase chain reaction results of urogenital system samples and their relationship with other sexually transmitted diseases

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the results obtained by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for microorganisms in urogenital tract samples sent to the molecular microbiology laboratory than patients of sexually transmitted infections suspected. In addition, we evaluated them alongside HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis test results.

Method: Urine, vaginal swab, and urethral discharge samples submitted to Duzce University, Medical Microbiology Laboratory between March 2023 and November 2023 were included in the study. Multiplex PCR was used to assess the positivity of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Additionally, the patients' serological test results for HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis were examined retrospectively.

Results: A total of one hundred patient samples were sent to the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory during the study period. Twenty-eight patients were female and 72 were male, and the mean age was 34.11±10.63 (19-72). A total of 109 positive pathogens were detected in 65 (65%) patients. The positivity rate in women was 75% and in men was 62%, and was statistically similar (p=0.191). The most common pathogen detected in women was U. parvum, and in men was M. genitalium. Thirteen patients were positive for HIV, three for syphilis, and two for HBV.

Conclusion: Molecular microbiological methods may be useful in patients suspected of having a urogenital system infection when no pathogens are cultured or when the presence of multiple pathogens must be identified to guide treatment.