21 LPL panel in urine (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 infection agents. Chlamydia infection can often be asymptomatic, especially in its early stages. It affects both men and women, potentially damaging various parts of the body, 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, pain during urination, bleeding between periods, and pain during intercourse. Men may experience abnormal discharge from the penis, pain during urination, testicular pain, and swelling. Regular check-ups and immediate 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 experience symptoms, but may have bleeding between periods or during intercourse, and pain or burning during urination. 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 commonly infects the urethra and cervix, and the infection it causes may be asymptomatic. Untreated infection can sometimes lead to 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 gland), most often causing no symptoms or diseases. In certain cases, they can cause infections and symptoms varying depending on which part of the genital organs is pathogenically affected.

Trichomonas vaginalis - the most widely spread non-viral sexually transmitted pathogen in the world. T. vaginalis can cause abnormal vaginal discharge (trichomoniasis) in women, and accounts for 10~12% of all non-gonococcal urethritis cases in men. 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, mucous surfaces, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from normal appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. Generally, a person can acquire HSV-2 only through genital contact with someone who has HSV-2 infection. However, oral sex with a person who has oral HSV-1 can result in genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission most often occurs during contact with an infected partner who has no visible sores and who may not know they are infected. Most individuals with HSV infection are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for another skin condition. When symptoms do occur, they 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 sores that may take two to four weeks to heal. The appearance of these symptoms is referred to as the first herpes “outbreak” or episode. Clinical manifestations of genital herpes differ between the first and recurrent (i.e., later) outbreaks. The first outbreak is often associated with a longer duration of herpetic lesions, increased viral shedding (thereby increasing the 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 to 90 days after infection, usually within 3 weeks (21 days). The main symptom is a painless sore at the site of infection. The sore may be difficult to notice and often disappears within 3–6 weeks even without treatment, but can periodically reappear. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial 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 serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis (L1, L2, L3). The main transmission route is through sexual intercourse: vaginal, anal, and oral. The primary symptom is small, painless blisters or sores in the genital or rectal area, often unnoticed. They manifest 3-30 days after infection. If not treated, chronic inflammation, lymph node, rectal damage, and reproductive system issues can develop.

Cytomegalo virus (CMV) - 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 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 generally lasts 3 to 12 weeks after infection. Most healthy individuals survive an asymptomatic or mild infection, after which the virus remains latent in the body and can be reactivated in the future, especially with weakened immune systems. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with CMV for the first time during pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus. This can cause congenital CMV infection with serious consequences.

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

Varicella zoster - this virus can cause Herpes zoster disease, manifested by 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.

Candidiasis is a very common disease affecting 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, unpleasant odor, and pain during intercourse occur. Without treatment, inflammations recur, potentially leading to secondary bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, and reproductive system complications.