Diseases / Sexually Transmitted Infections:

Molecular diagnosis (PCR) individually or as clinical presentation syndrome

 

Information 08/04/16.

 

Diseases / Sexually transmitted diseases (STD / STI) have a very variable etiology in the type of agents, because they can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.

 

By having a diverse etiology, biologically very different agents can not apply a single molecular diagnostic test to detect any of the etiologic agents, and in case of a positive result, making identification of the species responsible for the process. This requires testing individual molecular diagnosis for each type of etiologic agent involved in them. Some methods use mixed marketed molecular tests that detect simultaneously several agents because they combine in one molecular testing format for three or four agents.

 

However, Diseases / Sexually Transmitted Infections have a specific syndromic presentations. These syndromic presentations can be caused by a limited number of different agents. This allows target molecular diagnosis by syndrome presented by the patient, thus limiting the number of tests to perform.

 

The main syndromic presentations and agents that can cause them , are outlined below:

 

  • cervicitis:
    • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
    • Chlamydia trachomatis.
    • Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.
  • Urethritis (male and female):
    • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
    • Chlamydia trachomatis.
    • Ureaplasma urealyticum.
    • Ureaplasma parvum.
    • Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.
    • Trichomonas vaginalis.
  • Vaginitis and vulvovaginitis:
    • Trichomonas vaginalis.
    • Candida albicans.
  • vaginosis:
    • Gardnerella vaginalis.
    • Mobiluncus spp.
  • Genital ulcers:
    • Treponema pallidum.
    • Haemophilus ducreyi.
    • Trachomatis LGV 1 types Chlamydia, 2 and 3.
  • Lymphogranuloma venereum:
    • Trachomatis LGV 1 types Chlamydia, 2 and 3.
  • Donovanosis (inguinal granuloma):
    • Klebsiella granulomatis (formerly Calymmatobacterium granulomatis).
  • Urethral or vaginal bleeding:
    • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
    • Chlamydia trachomatis.
    • Ureaplasma urealyticum.
    • Ureaplasma parvum.
    • Chlamydia trachomatis.
    • Candida albicans.
    • Trichomonas vaginalis.

proctitis:

    • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
    • Chlamydia trachomatis.
    • Ureaplasma urealyticum.
    • Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.
  • Anogenital warts:
    • Papillomavirus (HPV: Human Papillomavirus).
  • epididymitis:
    • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
    • Chlamydia trachomatis.

Tests in IVAMI:

 

  • Molecular detection (PCR) individually for any disease causing agents / Sexually transmitted infections.
  • Molecular detection (PCR) for presentation syndromes: cervicitis, urethritis, vaginitis and vulvovaginitis, vaginosis, genital ulcers, lymphogranuloma venereum, donovanosis (granuloma inguinale), urethral or vaginal exudation, proctitis, epididymitis, ...

Recommended sample:

 

  • With sterile swab sample taken rubbing injuries or impregnated exudates.

 

Preservation and shipment of sample:

Refrigerated (preferred) for less than 2 days.

Frozen: over 2 days.

 

Cost of the test: Consult ivami@ivami.com

 

  • Molecular detection (PCR) individually for any disease causing agents / Sexually transmitted infections.
  • Molecular detection (PCR) for presentation syndromes:
      • Cervicitis (3 related agents).
      • Urethritis (6 related agents).
      • Vaginitis and vulvovaginitis (2 related agents).
      • Vaginosis (2 related agents).
      • Genital ulcers (3agentes related).
      • Lymphogranuloma venereum (1 related agent).
      • Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) (1 related agent).
      • Urethral or vaginal exudation (7 related agents).
      • Proctitis (4 related agents).
      • Anogenital warts (1 related agent).
      • Epididymitis (2 related agents).