Detection of 28 STIs from genital smear (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, Megasphaera 1, Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides fragilis, Gardnerella vaginalis, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BVAB2), Atopobium vaginae, Mobiluncus spp.)

This test is designed to detect 28 pathogens that can cause genital infections and includes various bacteria, fungi, and viruses. By accurately identifying the pathogen, infections can be diagnosed more easily, ensuring that treatment is as effective as possible.

When should this test be conducted?

• If you experience symptoms such as itching, pain, abnormal discharge, genital sores, redness, or other symptoms of genital infection.
• When it is suspected that the infection may be caused by multiple pathogens;
• If the infection recurs frequently and specific pathogens need to be identified;
• If there are atypical symptoms;
• For pregnant women, to prevent possible complications for both the mother and the baby.

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia infection can often be asymptomatic, especially in its early stages. It causes infections in both men and women and can affect 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. 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 check-ups and prompt treatment are very important to prevent 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 there may be bleeding between periods or during intercourse, pain or burning during urination. If undetected, untreated, or improperly treated, the infection can spread to the upper reproductive tract and develop into complicated gonococcal infection, causing pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility in women, and penile edema and epididymitis in men.

Mycoplasma genitalium - This bacterium most commonly infects the urethra and cervix, and the infection it causes can be asymptomatic. In some cases, untreated infection can lead to more serious complications, such as inflammation of the urethra or cervix, infertility.

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

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. T. vaginalis can cause abnormal vaginal discharge (trichomoniasis) in women, while in men it causes 10-12% of all non-gonococcal urethritis cases. 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 membranes, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from normal-appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. Typically, a person can contract HSV-2 only through genital contact with someone who has an HSV-2 infection. However, oral sex from a person infected with oral HSV-1 can lead to genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission usually occurs from contact with a partner who is infected but does not have visible lesions and may not be aware of their infection. Most individuals infected 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 the genitals, rectum, mouth, or around them. The average incubation period for a first herpes infection is 2 to 12 days after exposure. Blisters break and leave painful ulcers 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 differ between the first and recurring (i.e., subsequent) outbreaks. The first herpes outbreak is often associated with a longer period of healing, increased viral shedding (thereby increasing the likelihood of HSV transmission), and systemic symptoms, including fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or headache.

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

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). It is primarily spread 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, chronic inflammation, lymph node and rectal damage, and reproductive system issues may develop.

Cytomegalovirus (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 individuals infected with CMV experience no symptoms, but some may experience symptoms similar to mononucleosis (fever, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes). The CMV incubation period usually ranges from 3 to 12 weeks after infection. Most healthy individuals 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 contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus. This can result in congenital CMV infection, which can have serious consequences.

Haemophilus ducreyi is a bacterium that causes a sexually transmitted infection characterized by painful sores. 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 lasts from 4 to 10 days after exposure. Untreated infection causes significant pain and discomfort, especially during urination and intercourse. It is recommended to test if sores are visible on the genitals but Treponema pallidum and HSV 1/2 test results are negative.

Varicella zoster - This virus can cause Herpes zoster, which manifests as pain, burning sensation, itching, rashes. The incubation period from virus reactivation to symptom onset can be from several days to several weeks. The first symptoms often include pain or discomfort before the rash appears.

Candidiasis is a very common disease, affecting up to 75% of women at least once in their lives. It is most commonly caused by Candida albicans; however, other Candida species such as krusei, glabrata, dubliniensis, parapsilosis, tropicalis, lusitaniae may occur. Typical symptoms of candidiasis are itching, vaginal pain, pain during intercourse, external dysuria, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Men may experience redness and itching on the head of the penis, white discharge under the foreskin, bad odor, and pain during intercourse. Without treatment, inflammation recurs, may promote secondary bacterial infections, cause urinary tract infections, and reproductive system complications.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a clinical syndrome that usually presents with abnormal vaginal discharge and can lead to preterm delivery. It may occur during menopause. BV is characterized by a reduction or disappearance of Lactobacillus spp. bacteria, an increase in Gardnerella vaginalis, and elevated potentially pathogenic bacterial complexes, including Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera type 1, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BVAB2), Bacteroides spp., Mobiluncus spp. BV clinical symptoms include increased vaginal pH, vaginal discharge, and an unpleasant odor. BV is associated with an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, post-abortal or post-hysterectomy infections, increased risk of HIV infection, and serious pregnancy complications, including miscarriage or early delivery. BV is very common among women of reproductive age and is one of the most common reasons women seek treatment from healthcare professionals.