14 LPL Panel (Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1), Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2), Haemophilus ducreyi, Cytomegalo virus (CMV), Chlamydia trachomatis LGV, Treponema pallidum, Varicella-zoster virus (VZV))

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia infection is often asymptomatic, especially in its early stages. It affects both men and women and can damage various body parts, including the genitals, rectum, and throat. Without symptoms, untreated chlamydia infection can lead to serious complications such as infertility, chronic infections, and Reiter's syndrome. Initial symptoms appear 1-3 weeks after infection. Women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, bleeding between periods, and pain during intercourse. Men may have abnormal penile discharge, painful urination, and testicular pain and swelling. Regular checkups and immediate treatment are crucial to prevent complications and reduce the risk of infecting others.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Gonorrhea is a widespread infection acquired through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Symptoms typically appear 1-14 days after sexual contact with an infected person. Most women do not show symptoms, but they may experience bleeding between periods or during intercourse, pain, or burning during urination. If undetected, untreated, or improperly treated, the infection can spread to the upper genital tract and develop into a complicated gonococcal infection, leading to pelvic inflammatory diseases, ectopic pregnancy, infertility in women, and penis edema, epididymitis in men.

Mycoplasma genitalium - This bacterium most often infects the urethra, cervix, and the infection it causes can be asymptomatic. Untreated infection can sometimes lead to more serious complications, such as urethritis or cervicitis and infertility.

Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum - These bacteria may be naturally found in the sexual organs (uterus, ovaries, prostate gland) and usually do not cause any symptoms or diseases. In certain cases, they can cause infections and symptoms that vary depending on which part of the sexual organs is affected pathogenically.

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted agent in the world. T. vaginalis can cause abnormal vaginal discharge (trichomoniasis) in women and accounts for 10-12% of all cases of non-gonococcal urethritis in men. The infection may be asymptomatic in at least 50% of women and 70-80% of men.

Herpes simplex 1/2 infections are transmitted through contact with HSV herpes sores, mucous membranes, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from normal-looking oral or genital mucosa or skin. Typically, a person can acquire HSV-2 only through genital contact with someone who has an HSV-2 infection. However, oral sex from a person with oral HSV-1 can lead to genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission usually occurs during contact with an infected partner who has no visible lesions and may not be aware of the infection. Most people with HSV are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for other skin conditions. When symptoms occur, herpes lesions typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 2 to 12 days after exposure. The blisters break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal. This first occurrence of symptoms is known as a first herpes "outbreak" or episode. Clinical manifestations of genital herpes differ between a first and recurring (i.e., subsequent) outbreak. The first herpes outbreak is often associated with a longer healing period, increased viral shedding (increasing the likelihood of HSV transmission), and systemic symptoms, including fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or headache.

Treponema pallidum is the bacterium that causes syphilis, a chronic systemic infection that can progress through four stages. Primary symptoms appear 10-90 days, usually within 3 weeks (21 days). The main symptom is a painless sore at the infection site. The sore can be difficult to notice and often disappears in 3-6 weeks even without treatment, but it may recur periodically. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the progression of the infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis LGV - One of the diseases caused by chlamydia bacteria is lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). LGV is a sexually transmitted infection caused by specific serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis (L1, L2, L3). The main route of transmission is through sexual contact: vaginal, anal, and oral. The primary symptom is small, painless blisters or sores in the genital or rectal area, which are often unnoticed. Symptoms appear 3-30 days after infection. If untreated, chronic inflammation, lymph node, rectal damage, and reproductive system problems can develop.

Cytomegalo virus (CMV) is a member of the herpesvirus family, causing chronic infections. Although CMV is not typically considered a specific sexually transmitted infection, it can be transmitted through sexual contact. Most healthy people infected with CMV show no symptoms, but some may experience symptoms similar to mononucleosis (fever, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes). The CMV incubation period typically lasts 3 to 12 weeks after infection. Most healthy people experience asymptomatic or mild infection, after which the virus remains in the body in a latent form and can be reactivated in the future, especially when the immune system is weakened. If a pregnant woman is first infected with CMV during pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus. This can lead to congenital CMV infection, which can have serious consequences.

Haemophilus ducreyi is a bacterium responsible for a sexually transmitted infection characterized by painful ulcer disease. The infection starts as a small, red nodule on the genitals or anal area, which quickly turns into a painful open sore. The incubation period lasts 4 to 10 days after infection. Untreated infection causes significant pain and discomfort, especially during urination and sex. Testing is recommended if genital sores are visible, but Treponema pallidum, HSV 1/2 test results are negative.

Varicella zoster - This virus can cause Herpes zoster disease, which manifests as pain, burning sensation, itching, and rashes. The incubation period from virus reactivation to symptom onset can be from a few days to several weeks. Initial symptoms often include pain or discomfort before the appearance of rashes.