PCR Application in Female Lower Genital Infection

Kweon, In; Lee, Gui SeRa; Park, Cheol Hoon; Kim, Hee Young; Ryu, Ki Sung; Kim, Sa Jin; Lee, Young; Lee, Jong Kun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for multiple microorganisms in female lower genital infection, because infections of the vaginal are caused by multiple microorganisms.
METHODS
A total of 222 patients (161 cases of gynecologic patients and 61 cases of obstetric patients) who complained of profuse vaginal discharge or had excessive vaginal discharge were evaluated for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Trichomonas vaginalis infections using PCR.
RESULTS
Infecting microorganisms by PCR were found in 61 out of 161 gynecologic patients (37.6%). Among the 61 patients, single infection was present in 45 patients (78.3%), and infection by multiple microorganisms (26.6%) in the remaining 16. In these same patients, 72 showed an abundance of WBCs with the Gram stain. Among these 72 patients, 26 (74.3%) were infected with a single microorganism, and 9 (25.7%) were infected with multiple microorganisms. In 61 pregnant women, 26 patients (42.6%) were positive for infection. Single infection was found in 25 patients (96.2%) and infection by multiple microorganisms was present in one patient (3.8%). Many WBCs were observed in 19 out of the 61 pregnant women with the detection of single infection in 9 patients and none of the mixed forms.
CONCLUSION
The majority of female lower genital infections are due to multiple organisms. Individual tests, cultures, and Gram staining must be done in order to detect all involved organisms which may potentially double cost and time loss. However, with the use of PCR, this can be achieved all at once. We therefore suggest that PCR may be precise and economically beneficial in the detection of female lower genital infection.