Multiplex pcr for the diagnosis of rti/sti infections among women attending tertiary care centre in mumbai, india

RTI/STIs continue to present as major public health, social, and economic problem in developing countries leading to considerable morbidity, mortality and stigma. STIs refer to the mode of transmission, whereas RTIs refer to the site of infection. This prospective study was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital among women complaining of abnormal vaginal discharge using Gram stain and Multiplex Real time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Bacterial vaginosis was detected in 37% cases on the basis of Nugent scoring. Multiplex PCR of endocervical swabs detected presence of organisms in 81 % cases, with detection of Gardnerella vaginalis being highest as a sole pathogen (30%) and coinfection detected in (24%) with Ureaplasma urealyticum. Incorrect treatment due to similar symptoms by different microbes further complicates the disease management by syndromic approach as it can result in misdiagnosis. The introduction of molecular diagnostic tests which gives accurate etiological diagnosis provides an important step to address the burden of RTI/STIs. A relook of modication of syndromic management is the need of the hour as different microbes mimic symptoms. Hence molecular diagnostic tests enable accurate etiological diagnosis, thereby specic treatment can be given.