Analysis of the prevalence of STIs in Russia according to the federal laboratory network

Background. The incidence rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in different countries has attracted the attention of specialists from all over the world. The official rates of STI incidence in Russia are significantly lower than those in the United States.

Objective. To assess the prevalence of STIs among patients in a network of federal laboratories.

Methods. The prevalence analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18 and herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1, 2 was performed on the basis of anonymous data from 40 521 patients examined for sexually transmitted pathogens by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The studied biomaterial was delivered from 656 laboratory departments located in 284 settlements of all federal districts of the Russian Federation from January 2017 to June 2019.

Results. One and more of the eight pathogens were detected in 13.8% of patients, two or more pathogens simultaneously were detected in 1.4% of patients. The prevalence of viral infections was: 5.6% in HPV type 16, 1.8% in HPV type 18, 0.5% in HSV-1, and 1.6% in HSV-2. The highest percentage of patients in whom at least one infection was detected was in the age groups under 17 years (27.9%) and 18–25 years (19.8%). The distribution by gender in the groups varied, inversely: women predominated in the group under 17 years old (69%), men predominated in the group over 46 years old (71%). The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria was: C. trachomatis — 3.8%, M. genitalium — 1.5%, N. gonorrhoeae — 0.5%, T. vaginalis — 0.3%.

Discussion. The official incidence of STIs in Russia is significantly lower than that in the United States, which, in our opinion, may indicate not the stable situation in our country infection-wise, but inefficiency of registering STIs in Russia.

Conclusion. The data from the federal network of laboratories indicate a high prevalence of STIs in the Russian Federation. The existing STIs accounting system requires modernization. Introduction of the state national program for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of STIs can be useful to reduce the spread of infections, improve the reproductive health of the population, and reduce the incidence of reproductive cancer.