EVALUATION OF SERUM STING LEVELS AS A POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATORY BIOMARKER FOR NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE INFECTION

Background: Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an important component of innate immune signaling and may participate in the host response to gonococcal infection. Evaluating serum STING levels may provide insight into host immune activation and offer potential discriminatory value. Methods: This case-control study included 60 patients diagnosed with gonorrhea and 60 apparently healthy controls at Al-Nasiriya Teaching Hospital, DhiQar, Iraq, from November 2025 to April 2026. Patients were categorized according to the infection site into urogenital, anorectal, and pharyngeal groups. Serum STING concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).