Urogenital infections not caused by sexual transmission, including bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and vaginitis, afflict over 1 billion women each year. Human vaginal infections are associated with significantly increased risk of preterm birth in women. If untreated, they can lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases, which can cause tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy, reproductive dysfunction, and adverse pregnancy outcomes (including preterm delivery and low birth weight).

Sexually Transmitted Infections are infections that can be transmitted through sexual activity and skin-to-skin contact. STIs are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Approximately 20 million new STI infections occur each year in the U.S. Half of all STI diagnoses occur in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Many people with STIs are asymptomatic or experience only mild symptoms of infection. Without testing, people infected with STIs may unknowingly spread the infection to others. STIs can lead to serious health complications, so appropriate STI screening and diagnosis is a major public health concern. STI can be due to infection by a wider spectrum of microbes (viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi), However, the most common causes of STI are Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), Mycoplasma henitalium, Gardnerella vaginalis, Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis), Herpes Simplex 1 and 2, Ureaplasma (urealyticum and parvum), Haemophilus ducreyi, HPV (human papillomavirus 16, 18, & 45) and Syphilis (Treponema pallidum).

A healthy vaginal microbiota is considered to be significant for maintaining vaginal health and preventing infections. However, certain vaginal bacterial commensal species serve an important first line of defense of the body (Lactobacilli). These microbes maintain a low vaginal pH, prevent the acquisition of pathogens, stimulate or moderate the local innate immune system, and further protect against complications during pregnancies.  Any disruption of this microbial barrier might result in a number of urogenital conditions including bacterial vaginosis (BV), aerobic vaginitis (AV) and vaginal candidiasis.

Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal problem for women ages 15 to 44. In fact, an estimated one in three American women will get BV. Bacterial vaginosis signs and symptoms may include thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge, Foul-smelling “fishy” vaginal odor, vaginal itching and burning during urination. Many women with bacterial vaginosis have no signs or symptoms. While the infection involves a number of bacteria, it is believed that most infections start with Gardnerella vaginalis creating a biofilm, which allows other opportunistic bacteria to thrive.

Aerobic vaginitis is characterized by abnormal vaginal microflora containing aerobic, enteric bacteria, variable levels of vaginal inflammation and deficient epithelial maturation. About 5 to 10% of women are affected by aerobic vaginitis. Reports in pregnant women point to a prevalence of 8.3–10.8%. Although AV and bacterial vaginosis share some characteristics, such as a diminished number or absence of lactobacilli, increased discharge (fishy smelling in BV, while in severe forms of AV, a foul, rather rotten smell may be present) and increased pH (often more pronounced in AV), there are also striking differences between the two. There is no inflammation in women with BV, whereas the vagina of women with AV often appears red and edematous and may even display small erosions or ulcerations.

Vaginal candidiasis: Vaginal yeast infections are very common, happening to over 1 million women in the United States each year. These infections are the second most common cause of vaginitis. It’s estimated that 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. A vaginal yeast infection is caused by a specific type of yeast called candida. It is a condition characterized by burning, itching, redness, and a white discharge from the vagina and vulva. The vagina normally contains a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast. The hormone estrogen helps bacteria called lactobacilli to grow. These bacteria kill harmful organisms in the vagina and keep you healthy. But when something happens to tip that balance, candida can grow out of control and cause a yeast infection

Raazi Clinical Laboratory`s women`s health panel identifies the most common causes of sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis, and vaginal candidiasis using QPCR method. The higher sensitivity and better specificity of QPCR methods are their main advantages over other tests such as culture or immunoassay. PCR has been used to analyze a variety of specimen types including male and female urine, male urethral swabs, and female endocervical/vaginal swabs.