PCR as a Strategy for Sti Control: Results From Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening in a Population Served by the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sus)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major global public health problem. In Brazil, the most frequent STIs include HPV, HIV, hepatitis B virus, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. The World Health Organization aims to control and even eradicate STIs by 2030, considering that since 2020 it has been estimated that there are more than 1 million new cases of curable STIs per year. In this context, molecular tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) have been made available to SUS users with Ministry of Health support. Early detection with sensitive molecular techniques is critical to avoid severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. This study reports CT/NG prevalence among individuals undergoing molecular testing at a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. All individuals tested for CT/NG between January and December 2024 were included. Samples used cobas® PCR Urine Sample Kit and cobas® PCR Media Dual Swab Sample Kit, with analysis on the cobas® 5800 system (Roche, USA). Among 282 results, 6.38% (18) were CT-positive and 4.96% (14) were NG-positive. Coinfection was detected in 6 cases (2.13%). Sample types: 228 urine (80.85%) and 54 endocervical swabs (19.15%). The results obtained show the presence of CT and NG infections in the analyzed population, including cases of coinfection, reinforcing the importance of regular screening for these STIs.