ABSTRACT
Background: Trichomonas vaginalis [T.vaginalis] and Neisseria gonorrhoeae [N.gonorrhoeae] are two most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the world. No data are available regarding the epidemiology of genital infections in women of Qom, central Iran
Objective: Epidemiological investigation of sexually transmitted infections in genital specimens of women referred to the referral gynecology hospital in Qom, central Iran
Materials and Methods: Genital swab specimens were collected from women volunteers and used for identification of bacterial and protozoal infections by conventional microbial diagnostics, porA pseudo gene LightCycler[registered sign] real-time PCR [for N.gonorrhoeae] and ITS-PCR [for T.vaginalis]
Results: Of 420 volunteers, 277 [65.9%] had genital signs/symptoms, including 38.3% malodorous discharge, 37.9% dyspareunia, and 54.8% abdominal pain. Totally, 2 isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae were identified. Five specimens [1.2%] in Thayer-Martin culture and 17 [4.1%] in real-time PCR were identified as N.gonorrhoeae. Fifty-four specimens [12.9%] in wet mount, 64 [15.2%] in Dorset's culture, and 81 [19.3%] in ITS-PCR showed positive results for T.vaginalis. Five mixed infections of T.vaginalis+ N.gonorrhoeae were found. The risk of T.vaginalis infection was increased in women with low-birth-weight [p=0.00; OR=43.29], history of abortion [p=0.00; OR=91.84], and premature rupture of membranes [PROM] [p=0.00; OR=21.75]. The probability of finding nuclear leukocytes [p=0.00; OR=43.34] in vaginal smear was higher in T.vaginalis infection
Conclusion: The significant prevalence of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea emphasizes the need for accurate diagnosis and effective surveillance to prevent serious reproductive complications in women