Molecular methods in the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections

Molecular prevalence of eight different sexually transmitted infections in a Lebanese major tertiary care center: impact on public health

BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are caused by a variety of pathogens transmitted by sexual activity. Untreated infections can cause major complications with a substantial high cost on health sector. With the development of molecular techniques, STD screening became easier with a high sensitivity and specificity.

OBJECTIVES

In Lebanon, official data regarding STD trends are scarce. This study elucidates the STD molecular profile at a tertiary care center, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), its distribution among gender and age groups, with a comparison to international studies.

METHODS

A retrospective data analysis was conducted on all STD panels performed at AUBMC from January 2017 till December 2019 to determine the molecular prevalence of eight different sexually transmitted organisms.

RESULTS

Our samples belonged to 248 females (41.5%) and 349 males (58.5%). Only 53.5% of the samples tested positive for one or more organisms. Ureaplasma urealyticum/parvum was found to be the most common pathogen (49.3%), followed by Gardenerella vaginalis (33.5%), Chlamydia trachomatis (5.36%), Mycoplasma genitalium (5.16%), Neisseria gonorrhea (2.5%), Herpes simplex virus (2.5%), and Trichomonas vaginalis (1.39%). Age was distributed between 5 and 80 years old. Regarding the pathogen's distribution among gender, Ureaplasma urealyticum/parvum, Herpes simplex virus, and Gardenerella vaginalis were more common in females, the rest was more detected in males.

CONCLUSION

Data will be of great importance for clinicians, in terms of diagnosis and treatment. It will help adopting an evidence based STI control programs in Lebanon, and it is essential for future larger studies and sexual health awareness programs.

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in Herpes Genitalis: A Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Study from Kerala

BACKGROUND

Herpes genitalis is an ulcerating sexually transmitted infection, the clinical importance of which lies in its ability to produce painful and recurrent disease in addition to its potential role as a cofactor in acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. In recent years, there are increasing reports of genital herpes due to herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 from various parts of the world. Molecular diagnostic methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have got both diagnostic and prognostic significance in genital herpes.

AIMS

The present study was designed to identify the viral serotype in herpes genitalis patients in our locality, using PCR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The specimens from forty herpes genitalis patients were subjected to nested PCR and results were evaluated.

RESULTS

PCR was positive for HSV in 83% of cases, of which 58% were due to HSV-1. HSV-2 accounted for maximum number of recurrent herpes.

LIMITATION

Higher sample size would have been more representative.

CONCLUSION

A rising trend of type 1 HSV was observed in herpes genitalis in south India probably due to increasing practice of orogenital sex.