Detection of sexually transmitted pathogens and co-infection with human papillomavirus in women residing in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PeerJ
Abstract
South African women of reproductive age have a high burden of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
However, there is limited information on the prevalence of sexually transmitted
pathogens in women from rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study aims
at determining the prevalence of sexually transmitted pathogens and co-infection with
high-risk (HR) HPV among women from rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
Methods. A total of 205 cervical specimens were collected from women aged 30 years
from a rural community-based clinic. The samples were tested for a panel of pathogenic
STIs [Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars A-K & L1-L3), Haemophilus ducreyi, Herpes
Simplex Virus (Types 1 & 2), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Trichomonas
vaginalis (TV), and pathobionts [Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Mycoplasma hominis
(MH) and Ureaplasma spp. (UP)] using a multiplex PCR STD direct flow chip assay
through a manual Hybrispot platform (Master Diagnostica, Granada, Spain). HR-HPV
detection was performed by Hybrid Capture-2 assay.
Results. High-risk HPV prevalence was 32.2% (66/205) and HIV-1 prevalence was
38.5% (79/205). The overall prevalence of six pathogenic STIs was 22.9% (47/205),
with TV having the highest prevalence (15.6%; 32/205). UP (70.2%, 144/205) and MH
(36.6%, 75/205) were the most frequently detected pathobionts. Co-infection with 2
pathogens pathobionts was observed among 52.7% (108/205) participants. Of the six
pathogenic STIs, three participants had more than one STI (1.46%) with the presence
of MH and UP. HSV-2 (OR: 4.17, CI [1.184 14.690]) and HIV infection (OR: 2.11, CI
[1.145 3.873]) were independent STIs associated with HR-HPV infection.
Conclusions. The high prevalence of pathogenic STIs underscores the need to improve
syndromic management policy by implementing effective strategies of prevention,
Description
Keywords
HPV, Sexually transmitted pathogens, Treponema pallidum, Trichomonas Vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma
Citation
Taku, O., Brink, A., Meiring, T. L., Phohlo, K., Businge, C. B., Mbulawa, Z. Z., & Williamson, A. L. (2021). Detection of sexually transmitted pathogens and co-infection with human papillomavirus in women residing in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa. PeerJ, 9, e10793. DOI 10.7717/peerj.10793