21 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), Candida: albicans, krusei, glabrata, dubliniensis, parapsilosis, tropicalis, lusitaniae)

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia infection can often be 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. The first symptoms appear 1-3 weeks after infection. Women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination, bleeding between periods, and pain during intercourse. Men may experience abnormal discharge from the penis, pain during urination, and testicular pain and swelling. Regular screening and prompt treatment are crucial to avoid complications and reduce the risk of infecting others.

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

Mycoplasma genitalium - This bacterium most commonly infects the urethra and cervix, and its infection can be asymptomatic. Untreated infection may cause more serious complications, such as inflammation of the urethra or cervix, infertility.

Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum - These bacteria can be naturally found in the genital organs (uterus, ovaries, prostate), most often without causing any symptoms or diseases. In certain cases, they can cause infections and symptoms depending on the affected area of the genital organs.

Trichomonas vaginalis - The most widespread non-viral sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. T. vaginalis can cause abnormal vaginal discharge (trichomoniasis) in women, and in men, it causes 10~12% of all non-gonococcal urethritis cases. The infection can 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, mucosal surfaces, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can shed from normal-appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. Typically, a person can only be infected with HSV-2 during genital contact with someone who has an HSV-2 infection. However, oral sex from a person with oral HSV-1 can cause genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission often occurs from contact with an infected partner who does not have visible lesions and may not know they are infected. 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, mouth, or elsewhere. The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 2 to 12 days after exposure. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take two to four weeks to heal. The appearance of these symptoms is called the first herpes 'outbreak' or episode. Clinical manifestations of genital herpes vary from the first to recurrent (i.e., later) outbreaks. The first herpes outbreak is often associated with a longer duration of lesions, increased viral shedding (resulting in increased likelihood of HSV transmission), and systemic symptoms, including fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or headache.

Treponema pallidum - This bacterium 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 primary symptom is a painless ulcer at the site of infection. The ulcer may be hard to notice and often disappears within 3–6 weeks even without treatment, but it can periodically recur. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the progression of the infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis LGV - One of the diseases caused by the chlamydia bacterium is lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). LGV is a sexually transmitted infection caused by specific Chlamydia trachomatis serovars (L1, L2, L3). The primary 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, often unnoticed. Symptoms appear 3-30 days after infection. If untreated, it can lead to chronic inflammation, lymph node, rectal damage, reproductive system issues.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - This is a member of the herpesvirus family that causes chronic infections. Although CMV is not typically considered a specific sexually transmitted infection, it can be transmitted through sexual contact. Most healthy individuals infected with CMV experience no symptoms, but some may have symptoms similar to mononucleosis (fever, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes). The CMV incubation period usually lasts from 3 to 12 weeks after infection. Most healthy individuals experience an 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, potentially leading to congenital CMV infection with serious consequences.

Haemophilus ducreyi - A bacterium causing a sexually transmitted infection characterized by painful sores. The infection begins as a small, red bump on the genitals or anal area, quickly developing 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 sexual intercourse. Testing is recommended if genital sores are visible, but Treponema pallidum, HSV 1/2 tests are negative.

Varicella zoster - This virus can cause Herpes zoster disease, manifesting 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 rash appears.

Candidiasis is a very common disease that affects up to 75% of women at least once in their lifetime. It is most often caused by Candida albicans; however, other Candida species such as krusei, glabrata, dubliniensis, parapsilosis, tropicalis, lusitaniae can occur. Typical symptoms of candidiasis include itching, vaginal pain, pain during intercourse, external dysuria, and abnormal vaginal discharge. In men, redness and itching on the glans, white discharge under the foreskin, bad odor, and pain during intercourse may occur. If untreated, infections can recur, potentially leading to secondary bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, and reproductive system complications.