Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a group of bacterial, viral, parasite and fungal diseases of high public health concern worldwide, affecting both men and women. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of a set of STI causative microorganisms in urine samples from a sexually active population presenting urological symptoms and attending a public hospital network in Bogotá, Colombia. The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, HPV 6/11 and Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, was determined using a molecular approach. Overall, positivity for any of the studied STI was 60 and 10% for women and men, respectively. The presence of urinary symptoms was associated with the highest percentage (61.1 and 75% in women and men, respectively). These results provide insights into the movement and behavior of microorganisms causing STI in the sexually active population and their possible association with urinary problems.