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Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters

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Molecular and Cellular Microbiology (MCM)  |  Microbial Genetics, Physiology and Metabolism

Microbiol. Biotechnol. Lett. 2022; 50(2): 270-276

https://doi.org/10.48022/mbl.2204.04006

Received: April 13, 2022; Revised: May 30, 2022; Accepted: June 3, 2022

Laboratory Investigation of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Elderly Population of South Korea

Eun Ju Oh1†, Jang Mook Kim2†, and Jae Kyung Kim3*

1Department of Medical Laser, Dankook University Graduate School of Medicine, Chungnam 31116, Republic of Korea
2Department of Health Administration, 3Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Dankook University College of Health Sciences, Chungnam 31116, Republic of Korea

Correspondence to :
Jae Kyung Kim,     nerowolf@naver.com

Abstract

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This study analyzed the epidemiological trends of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) according to age and sex among individuals aged 50 years or older in South Korea from September 2018 to December 2020. We found that the positivity rate for Gardnerella vaginalis was the highest in the study group, followed by the positivity rate for Ureaplasma parvum (UP). Interestingly, the positivity rates for Mycoplasma hominis and UP were higher in female participants than in male participants. The positivity rate for Treponema pallidum was very low in the female participants. During the study period, the positivity rate for herpes simplex virus 2 increased in the female participants, while the positivity rate for Candida increased in the male participants. These results show that the STI positivity rate varies according to age and sex, and a difference was observed in the average age of positive participants according to the type of STIs. We found a clear pattern of infection in the elderly population and according to sex. Our findings are expected to be used as baseline data for future research, education, and prevention of STIs in the elderly population.

Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis, elderly, Gardnerella vaginalis, sexually transmitted infections

Graphical Abstract


References

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