: Is it an Underestimated Cause of Urinary Symptoms in Males?

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the detection rate of by multiplex PCR test in the genitourinary samples of male patients with suspected urethritis and related symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 144 male patients who presented to our department between February 2021 and October 2021, either with urinary symptoms or concerns following unprotected sex, were included in the study.A total of 128 (88.9%) first-void urine samples, 15 (10.4%) urethral swabs, and one (0.7%) semen sample were obtained. NeoPlex STI-14 Detection Multiplex PCR Kit (GeneMatrix Inc. Seongnam, South Korea) was used to investigate any of the following pathogens: , , , , , , , , ,herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), , , and . The patients with positive results for were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 37 (range: 21 to 71 years old). was the most frequently detected microorganism (n=23; 15.9%). Other microorganisms found in order of frequency were (n=19; 13.2%), (n=15; 10.4%), (n=11; 7.6%), (n=8; 5.6%), HSV-2 (n= 7; 4.9%), (n=6; 4.2), HSV-1 (n=2; 1.4%), (n=1, 0.7%), and (n=1, 0.7%). Fifteen patients (65%) were positive for one or two microbial agents together with , while in eight patients (35%), was the only isolated agent. Six of these eight patients and 14 of the remaining 15 were symptomatic.

CONCLUSION

With the introduction of multiplex PCR tests, including those for , we can expect a higher detection rate of these species of bacteria in male genitourinary samples, which could be the cause of unexplained urinary/urethral symptoms.