International Journal of Tropical Medicine
ISSN: Online 1818-779XISSN: Print 1816-3319
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are a group of infections and clinical signs and symptoms produced by pathogens that can be acquired and communicated through sexual intercourse. The present study aimed to evaluate etiological agents in patients with STIs at a tertiary care hospital. This prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in women aged between 18‐45 years, presenting with complaints of vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, or lower abdominal pain (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease‐PID), among other symptoms. Various investigations such as staining and microscopy, including gram stain, KOH mount, Tzanck smear and wet mount were performed as required based on the history of sexual exposure and clinical examination. The mean age of the females was 35.63 ± 11.4 years, with the majority from rural areas (60.91%), 8.33% of females reported having multiple sexual partners, and 38.79% reported regular unprotected intercourse. The most common clinical presentations were genital discharge (70.91%) and lower abdominal pain (28.79%), while less common presentations included genital ulcerative diseases (5.61%) and urethral discharge (5%). Etiological diagnosis was established in 221 cases (33.48%). Common etiological agents diagnosed included C. albicans and species (11.82%), Bacterial vaginosis (9.24%), T. vaginalis (5.61%), and N. gonorrhoeae (1.97%). Concomitant HIV seropositive (1.82%) and HBsAg positive (0.76%) status was also noted. Vaginal discharge due to C. albicans and species, Bacterial vaginosis and T. vaginalis was a common finding in the present study.
How to cite this article:
Ashwini S. Waghmare and Chandrakant Chillargi. Evaluation of Etiological Agents in Patients with STI at Tertiary Care Hospital.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makijtm.2024.2.141.144
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-3319/10.36478/makijtm.2024.2.141.144