Abstract
AbstractBackgroundIn the US, sexually transmitted infections (STI) are reported for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) but not Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). TV and MG surveillance data in the US remains inadequate. We evaluated the performance of the fully automated, multi-plex PCR-based Alinity m STI assay, to simultaneously detect CT, NG, TV, and MG, at a large Veterans Affairs hospital system.Methods260 urine, urogenital, and extragenital clinical specimens were tested with the Alinity m STI assay and the results were compared to those from the Abbott RealTime CT/NG assay in our lab and TV and MG assays run at an external reference laboratory.ResultsAlinity m STI assay results for urine specimens had an overall percent agreement (OPA) with the RealTime comparator assay of 187/187 (100.0%) for CT and 186/187 (99.5%) for NG. For 20 rectal specimens, the OPA for CT was 95% and for NG was 100%; for 13 oral specimens, OPA was 100% for CT and 92.3% for NG. Of the urine specimens sent for TV and MG testing, 100% agreement was observed between the Alinity m STI assay and TV (n=104) and MG (n=30) comparator assay results.ConclusionsThe Alinity m STI assay is an easy-to-use, sensitive and specific assay that allows high-throughput testing for common and undertested STI pathogens to facilitate surveillance efforts.KEY MESSAGESWhat is already known on this topicMycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis are sexually transmitted infections, however, global prevalence data vary between geographical regions, as these sexually transmitted infections are not included in routine screening.What this study addsThis study aimed at assessing Trichomonas and Mycoplasma prevalence and association with a positive Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhoeae result.How this study might affect research, practice, or policyIncluding Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis testing in a routine screening STI diagnostic algorithm, with cost-effective and accurate multiplex assays can improve diagnosis to initiation of appropriate treatment.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Reference24 articles.
1. Sexually Transmitted Infections Among US Women and Men: Prevalence and Incidence Estimates, 2018
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021. 2023; https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2021/default.htm. Accessed May 23, 2023.
3. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexual Behaviors: Findings From a National Survey in the United States
4. Declines in Sexual Frequency among American Adults, 1989–2014
5. World Health Organization. Global progress report on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240027077. Accessed June 15, 2023.