Epidemiological characteristics of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and herpes simplex virus among 5,577 gynecological outpatients in the Xihu district of Hangzhou, China
摘要
Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are common etiologic agents of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) with high global prevalence and the potential to cause adverse genital outcomes. This study assessed the positivity rates and co-infection patterns of UU, CT, NG, and HSV among women in Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
MethodsWe analyzed 5,577 female genital tract specimens collected from January 2018 to December 2024 at Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province. Pathogen DNA was detected using real-time PCR. UU susceptibility testing was performed with the Mycoplasma Identification and Susceptibility Test Kit.
ResultsAmong 5,577 specimens, positivity rates were 49.11% for UU, 7.48% for CT, 1.88% for NG, and 10.52% for HSV. A total of 118 mixed infections involving two or more pathogens were identified; the most frequent combination was UU + CT, accounting for 73.73% of mixed infections. UU was the most common organism in co-infections, present in more than 96% of mixed-infection cases. Significant associations were observed between UU and CT (p < 0.001) and between UU and NG (p < 0.05). The overall pathogen positivity rate increased over the seven-year period (p < 0.01). Younger women (≤ 19 years) had the highest positivity for UU, CT, NG, and HSV-1, whereas older women (> 60 years) had the highest HSV-2 positivity. More than 95% of UU isolates were susceptible to doxycycline, minocycline, and josamycin.
ConclusionsThis study characterizes the epidemiology of UU, CT, NG, and HSV in real-world obstetrics and gynecology outpatient settings in Xihu District, Hangzhou. Given the elevated positivity among younger women, targeted health education and management strategies are warranted.