BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) make up a large proportion of the global burden of socially significant diseases with about 340 million cases annually and are caused by pathogens such as N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, T. vaginalis, HSV I, HSV II and T. pallidum. At the same time, in other countries, a sharp increase in the incidence of the most common STIs was observed: syphilis, gonococcal and chlamydial infections, while in Russia, a sharp increase in the incidence of new HIV infections in recent years was reported.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the incidence of co-infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, T. vaginalis, HSV I, HSV II, and T. pallidum in combination with one or more STI pathogens in men who have sex with men (MSM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The biomaterial of 763 MSM was tested for the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, T. vaginalis, HSV I, HSV II, and T. pallidum, and various combinations of these pathogens.

RESULTS

In the MSM group studied, 24 combinations of different STIs were found per study participant, which is more than in any single anatomical site. In the urogenital site, co-infection with two or more pathogens was practically absent, whereas, in the anorectal and oropharyngeal loci, co-infection with STIs was found in 23.8 and 11.2%, respectively. The incidence of STI co-infection considering three anatomic sites was 26.6% (82/222), and the most common combinations were NG+CT (19/82), CT+HSV II (9/82) and CT+MG (7/82). In a small number of study participants, 4 pathogens were detected at the same time.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study indicate a high incidence of co-morbid STIs in MSM. Chlamydia, gonococcal and herpetic infections were the most common in the MSM group.