Laboratory diagnostics of «key» sexually transmitted infections (literature review). Part 1

The review summarizes information on laboratory diagnostic methods of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by bacterial and protozoal pathogens, namely N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis in the Russian Federation. Diagnostic methods have been assessed and the place of each in the diagnostics of gonococcal and chlamydial infections, urogenital trichomoniasis and infection caused by M. genitalium has been determined. Direct methods of identifying pathogens, among which the preference is currently given to molecular biological methods or nucleic acid amplification techniques with a high number of important advantages compared to other methods, namely microscopy, culture and POC-tests, are the absolute priority in the STIs diagnostics. Benefits of these meth ods are high sensitivity and specificity, the absence of requirement of live pathogen, the possibility of simultaneous identification of several pathogens in a single biomaterial sample and quantitative evaluation of pathogens’ DNA/RNA (Real-time PCR), the rapidity of result (compared to the cultural method). The use of nucleic acid amplification techniques for simultaneous identification of the most common causative pathogens of STIs, namely C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis is extremely essential in current conditions. The identification of «key» pathogens of STIs should be the basic diagnostic procedure in the examination of patients with suspected STIs as well as in preventive examinations. © 2023, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.