Written by Dr.Deyn Natthakhet Yaemim (Founding Director) on 6 June 2015, Last updated 18 July 2022

Multiplex PCR testing for 14 different sexually transmitted infections - Most advanced DNA test in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Thailand

What's New

Sexually transmitted infections are a very frequent and under-diagnosed cause of illness worldwide. A high number of detection methods and a large range of specimens in which sexually transmitted infections can be determined are available at the moment. Polymerase chain reaction performed on first void urine offers the advantage of being non-invasive, self-collectable and has high sensitivity and specificity. 

Asymptomatic testing, getting tested even though you don't have any symptoms, is a good idea to make sure you DO NOT have any infections hidden in your throat, vaginal canal and cervix, urethra and urine as well as anal canal. And if the test detects DNA of any bacterial or viral STIs, it will be a good chance for you to start treatment in time and tell your partner to get treatment as well to prevent transmission to other people in the community. This is a very helpful way to reduce STI transmission in the community.

Nucleic-acid amplification tests, also known as NATs or NAATs, are used to identify small amounts of DNA or RNA in test samples. They can, therefore, be used to identify bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens even when the material of interest is present in very small amounts. When it comes to STD testing, there are NAAT tests available that can detect a variety of different STDs. In fact, most urine tests for STDs are performed using nucleic-acid amplification tests.

WHAT ARE URINE PCR & SWAB PCR TEST?

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction it is also celled Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) is a modern molecular technique used to detect a particular pathogen (virus or bacterium) in a specimen of blood, body fluid or other tissue. This technique detects virus/bacterial’s DNA. The nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is the recommended method of testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas, among other infections. It has very high specificity (higher than 99.5%) higher sensitivity and accuracy than culture (old diagnosis technique). In both men and women, painless Urine PCR (Yeah, you just have to pee) and Genital PCR were significantly more sensitive than culture. It can detect infection whether the organism is dead or alive! This is mostly done in first-world countries and medical schools.

WHAT INFECTION CAN THE DNA PCR DETECT?

In people who has infection with symptom (symptomatic infection) and without symptoms (asymptomatic infections), DNA PCR TEST can detect;

• Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars A-K) which causes chlamydia
• Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars L1-L3) which causes LGV or Lymphogranuloma venereum
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae which causes Gonorrhea 
• Trichomonas vaginalis which causes Trichomoniasis
• Mycoplasma hominis 
• Mycoplasma genitalium (an emerging STI)
• Ureaplasma urealyticum (read more)
• Ureaplasma parvum (read more)
• Herpes Simplex Virus type I (read about Herpes Simplex Virus)
• Herpes Simplex Virus type II
• Treponema pallidum which causes syphilis
• Haemophilus ducreyi which causes chancroid
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

WHICH BODY PART CAN I GET TESTED FOR ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS USING DNA PCR TEST?

Let's think about how we use our part of body to give ourselves (and our partners) pleasure. 

THROAT SWAB

Imagine we kiss and suck and all the oral sex we use our mouth (and tongue and throat) the infections can be localized on your tonsil glands. 
So for this area we perform a swab, gently rubbing the swab (or small cotton bud) on the back of the throat, on the tonsils, and in any other area where there might be redness, inflammation or pus. Throat swab can detect 14 infections mentioned above. There are no risks or complications associated with a throat swab culture. The test may cause momentary gagging because the back of the throat is a sensitive area, but it shouldn’t be painful.

ANAL SWAB

Doesn't matter if you are a man, a girl or a transwoman, if you like it from the back or using your backdoor for some fun the infections from your partners (or toys, hands, or gloves when fisting) can localize on the surface of anal canal or rectal tissue surface. Don't be too embarrassed to discuss your anal sex and safe anal sex practices with your doctor (We've seen many holes before and you won't be the last). To collect the specimen, a small cotton swab (you wish it is bigger) is placed into the anal canal and the rectum. The swab is rotated gently, removed and put in a container to be sent to our lab. There may be pressure as the swab is inserted into the rectum. The test shouldn't cause you any pain, we are always gentle and handle with care.

VAGINAL SWAB

We're talking about woman and transwoman, vaginal canal can be a house to host STI party and a matter of fact, STIs amongst transwoman do not differ from the non-TG population unless there are other risks factors involved. To collect the specimen, a small cotton swab is placed into the vaginal canal. The swab is rotated gently, removed and put in a container to be sent to our lab. 

URINE PCR FOR 14 INFECTIONS

Urine testing for STIs is becoming increasingly available. These days, 14 STIs can be detected using urine testing. Urine PCR test is a lot more pleasant than urethral or cervical swabs (the old technique which was painful and uncomfortable) and are quickly becoming standard practice. Urine testing, as opposed to swab testing, makes it easier for people to undergo STI testing as part of their regular medical care. To collect the specimen for testing, YOU JUST HAVE TO PEE!

Here are the steps starting from
Registration >> Receive label sticker and container >> go to the toilet
>> do not wipe or clean your penis/vagina >> open the urine cup >> pee the first stream urine until it’s filled halfway
>> place urine cup in specimen bag >> wash your hands with THANN hand wash and water
>> pass it to staff at the counter >> pay >> confirm email address >> Sashay away

SIMPLE SUMMARIZATION

• Our STD PCR Multiplex is the most advanced technology to detect multiple infections all at one test.
• Our STD PCR Multiplex include 14 infections in different locations;
  • Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Chancroid, Lymphogranuloma Veneruem (LGV)
  • Herpes Simplex type 1 (HSV-1), Herpes Simplex type 2 (HSV-2)
  • Trichomonas vaginlis
  • Mycuplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma Parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum.
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)
• Our STD PCR Multiplex can detect infections in different locations;
  • Throat and oral cavity
  • Male and female urethra
  • anorectal area
  • vagina and cervix
  • sperm
  • skin lesions

• If you want to look for any possible infection in your urethra and urinary tract, you have to chose URINE PCR 14 infections which you will have to pass the urine.
• If you performed oral sex and want to check any possible infection in your throat, you have to chose THROAT SWAB PCR 14 infections which will be assisted by our staff.
• If you happen to be female who enjoy anal sex without condom, men who have sex with men, and bottom for anal sex without condom, then you have to chose ANAL SWAB PCR 14 infections which will be assisted by our staff.
• If  you are female who have vaginal sex, then you have to chose Vaginal Swab PCR 14 infections, which will be assisted by our staff.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR RESULTS OF URINE PCR AND SWAB PCR?

For normal PCR for 14 infections service, PCR test process takes 7 days. But we are able to speed up the laboratory and their process so that we have faster results from same day, next day result and 3 days result with additional cost.The results will be sent to your email address given to our clinics or you can check the result online on PULSE ONLINE PORTAL or E-DOC mobile application.

Pricelist

• *In case of repeat +3 days
• **Do test before 1 p.m.
• Prices are in Thai Baht
• Price per one location of testing
• Online results will be available at PULSE Online Portal (POP) and E-Doc mobile application