Etiology of cervicitis: Are there new agents in play?

Background: Considering the changing causative and resistance pattern of agents implicated in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), etiological diagnosis is imperative, especially in countries practicing syndromic management. This study was designed to identify etiological agents associated with cervicitis and to analyze their association with clinical and behavioral profile. Materials and Methods: Female STI clinic attendees presenting with cervico-vaginal discharge were examined for the presence of cervicitis. Endocervical swabs were collected for gram staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for various bacterial and viral STI agents in patients presenting with cervical discharge. A vaginal swab was also evaluated for bacterial vaginosis by Nugent's criteria. Results: Of 64 patients with vaginal discharge, 26.6% and 12.5% patients complained of genital itching and lower abdominal pain, respectively. Mean of 36.6 pus cells/hpf were observed, appreciably greater number in patients with Conclusion: We concluded that there are changing etiological patterns of cervicitis. There is need to use tests that detect wider array of organisms, and can replace standard culture methods with molecular assays, to increase the ability to diagnose more number of organisms implicated in cervicitis.