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Published on: March 13, 2018
A Triplex PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Non-viral STDs in Both Dry and Wet Swabs, Offering a Rapid and
Subash Chandra Sonkar1,2, Daman Saluja2, Pratima Mittal3
1Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU), Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Background:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major global public health challenge because their health consequences lead to severe complications, especially among sexually active populations. Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are three common non-viral STDs which are increasing worldwide, and co-infections are common.
Methods:
Designed and evaluated the performance of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in both dry and wet samples to detect three non-viral STDs, which were diagnosed based on syndromic case management (SCM) and uniplex PCR tests. We collected samples in duplicate (n=133), one as dry swab and the other swab was immediately put in transport medium and brought to the laboratory at ambient temperature within 4-5 hours. The total DNA was isolated from dry and wet swabs.
Results:
Out of 133 samples, six were positive for all three infections in both dry and wet swabs, while 127 were negative for all three. All clinical samples were then tested using uniplex PCR for each pathogen and also using triplex PCR for clinical evaluations.
Conclusions:
Multiplex PCR developed in-house is an effective test for simultaneous diagnosis of CT, NG, and TV and may be used for accurate and confirmed diagnosis especially in asymptomatic and suspected co-infection in low-income countries. Further evaluations of the clinical performance and the cost-effectiveness of this rapid diagnostic test on the management of multiple STI are underway.
