title: Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Diagnostic Tool for Six Sexually Transmitted Infections - Preliminary Results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexually transmitted infections are a very frequent and under-diagnosed cause of illness worldwide. A high number of detection methods and a large range of specimens in which sexually transmitted infections can be determined are available at the moment. Polymerase chain reaction performed on first void urine offers the advantage of being non-invasive, self-collectable and has high sensitivity and specificity. We looked to determine the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six sexually transmitted infections were determined in the first void urine of 15 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients by polymerase chain reaction. We used "Epicenter MasterPure™ Complete DNA and RNA Purification Kit" for the DNA purification and "Seeplex® STD6 ACE Detection" for the DNA amplification. The results were examined in UV light.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A number of 5 patients had positive results for Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sexually transmitted infections are more frequent in men between 27 and 40 years old.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polymerase chain reaction is a good diagnostic tool for sexually transmitted infections because it has a high sensitivity and specificity. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection, followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Alecsandra Iulia
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Mollecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihaela Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vica
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Mollecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Horea Vladi
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Matei
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Clinical Municipal Hospital, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Doru Lucian
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Ioan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Coman
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Dumitru Alexandru
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Tataru
keywords: polymerase chain reaction; sexually transmitted infections; urine