Open AccessFrequency of Sexually Transmitted Pathogens in HIV- Positive Individuals
Author(s) -
Tuğba Bozdemir,
Candan Çiçek,
Deniz Gökengin,
Sabire Aydemir,
İmre Altuğlu,
Uğur Önal,
Timur Köse,
Hüsnü Pullukçu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
türk mikrobiyoloji cemiyeti dergisi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2458-7516
pISSN - 0258-2171
DOI - 10.5222/tmcd.2021.50469
Subject(s) - mycoplasma genitalium , ureaplasma urealyticum , chlamydia trachomatis , neisseria gonorrhoeae , trichomonas vaginalis , mycoplasma hominis , ureaplasma , virology , mycoplasma , pathogen , sexually transmitted disease , chlamydia , asymptomatic , herpes simplex virus , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , medicine , immunology , virus , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , syphilis
Objective: Sexually transmitted infections are frequently seen and significant infections for public health. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections have an important role in controlling the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The investigation of the frequency of other sexually transmitted pathogens in asymptomatic HIV- positive individuals was aimed in the present study. Method: Vaginal and urethral swab samples were collected by 90 HIV- positive asymptomatic individuals themselves aged between 20-69 (median=36, SD=10.48) years, between September 2015 and April 2016. The samples were assessed for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, and Human papillomavirus using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: At least one or more than one sexually transmitted pathogen was identified in 49 (54.4%) of 90 HIV-positive individuals. Human Papillomavirus was found in 31 (34.4%), Ureaplasma urealyticum in 20 (22.2%), Ureaplasma parvum in 15 (16.6%), Mycoplasma genitalium in 8 (8.8%), Mycoplasma hominis in 8 (8.8%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 5 (5.5%) and Chlamydia trachomatis in 2 (2.2%) individuals. Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 were not detected in any of the clinical specimens. Conclusion: Approximately 55% of 90 HIV- positive individuals were found to be positive for sexually transmitted pathogens, and . Human Papillomavirus was the most frequently detected pathogen. This condition reveals the necessity of screening even asymptomatic individuals for the presence of this pathogen. Studies are needed to increase awareness in our country on this issue.