Gonococcal infection. Level of N. gonorrhoeae bacterial load and features of the disease’s clinical picture

Background. Gonococcal infection occupies one of the leading places among sexually transmitted infections. Currently, there is a scarce data in the literature about the bacterial load of the causative agent. Objective. To study the value of bacterial load in patients with gonococcal infection and its relationship with the disease’s clinical manifestations. Material and methods. The study object was patients (n=551) with gonococcal infection aged between 17 and 68 years, who were under observation in the MSPCDC in 2021—2022. The research material was the biological material, namely discharge from the mucous mem-brane of the genitourinary system’s organs of patients. The study method — real-time PCR with determination of N. gonorrhoeae bacterial load. The bacterial load value ranged from 103 to 107 geq/ml, with a considered conditionally low load at N. gonorrhoeae DNA concentration of 104 geq/ml and less, conditionally high — above 104 geq/ml. Results. The predominance of individuals with high bacterial load of N. gonorrhoeae (70%) has been noted among patients with gonococ-cal infection. A significant direct correlation between the value of N. gonorrhoeae bacterial load and the severity of the disease’s clinical picture has been revealed in both men and women. It has been found that symptoms of gonococcal infection are significantly more common in men than in women, while oligosymptomatic or asymptomatic infection course is observed significantly more often in women. Conclusions. The clinical course of gonococcal infection may depend on the bacterial load of N. gonorrhoeae causative agent. The reservoir of infection is women with asymptomatic disease course, which contributes to its spread. The bacterial load level of N. gonorrhoeae must be taken into account when assessing the clinical picture of the disease and predicting its course. © 2024, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.