Analysis And Test For Gonorrhea

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Analysis and test for gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a specific infectious disease that is transmitted more often sexually and less often by household. Gonorrhea is caused by gram-negative bacteria - gonococci (diplococci), which are similar in structure to the fruits of beans. With the development of the disease, the mucous membranes of the genitourinary organs and the urethra are mainly affected, which leads to severe complications, gonorrhea is dangerous and its often asymptomatic course. When infected with gonococci, timely detection of the disease and correct treatment are very important.

There are various methods for determining gonorrhea, for which medicine uses visual inspection and laboratory research methods:

• When drawing up an anamnesis of the disease, the doctor asks the patient about the presence of accidental sexual intercourse, abortion, intrauterine contraception. A general examination of patients is carried out, an examination of the genitals for the presence of symptoms of inflammation of the urethral mucosa, such as edema and hyperemia, deep palpation of the abdomen. The female genital organs are examined using mirrors to detect inflammation and purulent discharge.
• Laboratory research methods include:
• A general blood test for the presence of leukocytes, determining the blood group and Rh factor, shifting the formula to the left,
• General urine analysis,
• Blood chemistry,
• Bacterioscopic analysis of secretions to detect an increased number of leukocytes, the presence of gonococci (diplococci) and their intracellular location.

Additionally, in the presence of indications, a culture method is used to determine the strain of the pathogen, an immunofluorescence reaction, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test.

The material for research on gonococcal infection is usually discharge from the vagina, urethra, cervix, prostate secretion, seminal vesicles. Swabs and scrapings are also taken from the rectum and eyes with gonoblenorrhea. If the joints are damaged, the synovial fluid is examined. Only a doctor can take material for analysis.

From the selected material, smears are prepared on two glass slides, distributing the discharge in a uniform thin layer. The smears are dried in air and fixed in a burner flame, after which one of them is stained with a 1% solution of methylene blue, the other according to Gram. In the first case, the smear is used for preliminary approximate viewing, in the second, a final conclusion is made.

When carrying out Gram staining use:

• 1% solution of crystal violet paint, dissolved in distilled water and filtered through 2 layers of paper filter,
• Lugol's solution (300 ml of distilled water, 2 g of potassium iodide, 1 g of crystalline iodine),
• 1% aqueous solution of neutral red,
• 96% alcohol.

If gonococci were not detected during bacterioscopy, then the culture method is used, the essence of which is to sow the selected pathological material on artificial nutrient media. The method is used for torpid (asymptomatic), chronic gonorrhea, as well as in all cases suspected of gonorrhea. After about 24 hours, gonococci form many small dew-like colonies, if bacteria did not multiply, then the crops were observed for at least 6-7 days.

An oxide reaction helps to recognize gonococcal colonies, when 1-2 drops of a 0.5% solution of tetramethylparaphenylenediamine hydrochloride or 1% paraphenylenediamine are applied to the inoculation. Immediately after that, the gonococci turn purple-brown to black.

Recently, tests for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are increasingly used, they are highly informative and shorten the time for diagnosing gonorrhea. To detect specific sensitization of the organism, i.e. increased sensitivity of the body to foreign agents, 0.1 ml of the allergen is subcutaneously injected into the inner region of the forearm. The reaction of the body is assessed 24 hours after the administration of the appropriate drug.

Depending on the magnitude of the local reaction (hyperemia and infiltration), it can be + (with a diameter of 6-10 mm), ++ (a diameter of 11-20 mm) and +++ (with a diameter of over 20 mm). If the size of the allergic reaction is more than 5 mm, the test result is considered positive. In this case, patients with suspected gonococci are sent for clinical and laboratory examination.

It should be remembered that there are contraindications for the test, and first of all it is pregnancy, malignant neoplasms, decompensated diseases of the kidneys, heart, liver, tuberculosis, rheumatism at the stage of exacerbation, allergies and recently conducted hormone therapy.

Rapid tests for the diagnosis of gonorrhea at home have also been developed, and this does not require special knowledge and any additional funds. Express tests are quick and highly accurate results, preserving the anonymity of the test. If suddenly the test turns out to be positive, then you definitely should not hesitate to visit a doctor!

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".