Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause a major public health problem that affect both men and women in developing and developed countries. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of 11 STIs among women who voluntarily participated in the study, while seeking gynecological checkup. The existence of an association between the presence of pathogens and symptoms and various sociodemographic risk factors was assessed. Methods A total of 505 vaginal and cervical specimens were collected from women above 18 years of age, with or without symptoms related to gynecological infections. Nucleic acid was extracted and samples were tested by real-time PCR for the following pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Urealplasma parvum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma girerdii, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida albicans and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Positive HPV samples underwent genotyping using a microarray system. Results Of the 505 samples, 312 (62%) were screened positive for at least one pathogen. Of these, 36% were positive for Gardnerella vaginalis, 35% for Ureaplasma parvum, 8% for Candida albicans, 6.7% for HPV, 4.6% for Ureaplasma urealyticum, 3.6% for Mycoplasma hominis, 2% for Trichomonas vaginalis, 0.8% for Chlamydia trachomatis, 0.4% for Mycoplasma girerdii, 0.2% for Mycoplasma genitalium and 0.2% for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Lack of symptoms was reported in 187 women (37%), among whom 61% were infected. Thirty-four samples were HPV positive, with 17 high risk HPV genotypes (HR-HPV); the highest rates being recorded for types 16 (38%), 18 (21%) and 51 (18%). Out of the 34 HPV positives, 29 participants had HR-HPV. Association with various risk factors were reported. Conclusions This is the first study that presents data about the presence of STIs among women in Lebanon and the MENA region by simultaneous detection of 11 pathogens. In the absence of systematic STI surveillance in Lebanon, concurrent screening for HPV and PAP smear is warranted.

Introduction: Multiplex molecular panels are replacing conventional methods for the detection of sexually transmitted infections. In the current study, we evaluated the performance of two commercial multiplex assays, EUROArray STI and Allplex STI essential assays, for detecting six sexually transmitted infections. Methodology: The diagnostic performance of the EUROArray STI and Allplex STI essential assays was evaluated against a panel of 105 positive DNA samples identified by in-house real-time PCR assays including Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhea. Samples from healthy subjects, negative for any microorganism, were used as negative controls. Results: Of the 105 positive specimens, 103 (98%) were tested positive by Allplex and 102 (97%) by EUROArray. Among the 51 negative samples that were tested by in house assay, 48 (94%) were tested negative by Allplex assay and 43 (84%) by EUROArray assay. The overall sensitivity of EUROArray and Allplex were 97.1% and 98.1% with an accuracy of 92.9% and 96.7%, respectively. The overall assay specificity was 94.1% for Allplex assay and 84.3% for EUROArray assay, The sensitivity of both kits to all targeted microorganisms ranged from 55.6% to 100%, with the lowest sensitivity noted for Trichomonas vaginalis. Conclusions: Diagnostic performance varies depending on the method used to detect the targeted pathogens, the assay manipulation, and the cost. This study showed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy characteristics for two kits commonly used to detect STIs, which will guide the choice for an appropriate multiplex PCR platform.