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. 2015;88(1):33-7.
doi: 10.15386/cjmed-373. Epub 2015 Jan 28.

Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Diagnostic Tool for Six Sexually Transmitted Infections - Preliminary Results

Alecsandra Iulia Grad  1 , Mihaela Laura Vica  2 , Horea Vladi Matei  2 , Doru Lucian Grad  3 , Ioan Coman  4 , Dumitru Alexandru Tataru  1
Affiliations

Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Diagnostic Tool for Six Sexually Transmitted Infections - Preliminary Results

Alecsandra Iulia Grad et al. Clujul Med. 2015.

Abstract

Background and aim: Sexually transmitted infections are a very frequent and under-diagnosed cause of illness worldwide. A high number of detection methods and a large range of specimens in which sexually transmitted infections can be determined are available at the moment. Polymerase chain reaction performed on first void urine offers the advantage of being non-invasive, self-collectable and has high sensitivity and specificity. We looked to determine the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Methods: Six sexually transmitted infections were determined in the first void urine of 15 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients by polymerase chain reaction. We used "Epicenter MasterPure™ Complete DNA and RNA Purification Kit" for the DNA purification and "Seeplex® STD6 ACE Detection" for the DNA amplification. The results were examined in UV light.

Results: A number of 5 patients had positive results for Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sexually transmitted infections are more frequent in men between 27 and 40 years old.

Conclusions: Polymerase chain reaction is a good diagnostic tool for sexually transmitted infections because it has a high sensitivity and specificity. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection, followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Keywords: polymerase chain reaction; sexually transmitted infections; urine.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Example of PCR result. NC - negative control. 6, 7, 8, 9 - samples. PC - positive control. MK - marker of molecular weight. Sample 6 - positive for CT. Sample 9 - positive for CT and NG.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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