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Current and Future Trends in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgia Caruso

    (U.O.C. of Microbiology and Virology, ARNAS “Civico, Di Cristina and Benfratelli”, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Anna Giammanco

    (Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Roberta Virruso

    (U.O.C. of Microbiology, Virology and Parassitology, A.O.U.P. “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Teresa Fasciana

    (Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to exert a considerable public health and social burden globally, particularly for developing countries. Due to the high prevalence of asymptomatic infections and the limitations of symptom-based (syndromic) diagnosis, confirmation of infection using laboratory tools is essential to choose the most appropriate course of treatment and to screen at-risk groups. Numerous laboratory tests and platforms have been developed for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, genital mycoplasmas, herpesviruses, and human papillomavirus. Point-of-care testing is now a possibility, and microfluidic and high-throughput omics technologies promise to revolutionize the diagnosis of STIs. The scope of this paper is to provide an updated overview of the current laboratory diagnostic tools for these infections, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and point-of-care adaptability. The diagnostic applicability of the latest molecular and biochemical approaches is also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgia Caruso & Anna Giammanco & Roberta Virruso & Teresa Fasciana, 2021. "Current and Future Trends in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1038-:d:486484
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Catriona S Bradshaw & Jennifer Walker & Christopher K Fairley & Marcus Y Chen & Sepehr N Tabrizi & Basil Donovan & John M Kaldor & Kathryn McNamee & Eve Urban & Sandra Walker & Marian Currie & Hudson , 2013. "Prevalent and Incident Bacterial Vaginosis Are Associated with Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviours in Young Australian Women," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-8, March.
    2. Nigel J Garrett & Farzana Osman & Bhavna Maharaj & Nivashnee Naicker & Andrew Gibbs & Emily Norman & Natasha Samsunder & Hope Ngobese & Nireshni Mitchev & Ravesh Singh & Salim S Abdool Karim & Ayesha , 2018. "Beyond syndromic management: Opportunities for diagnosis-based treatment of sexually transmitted infections in low- and middle-income countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Teresa Fasciana & Giuseppina Capra & Paola Di Carlo & Cinzia Calà & Marco Vella & Giuseppe Pistone & Claudia Colomba & Anna Giammanco, 2021. "Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Sexual Behavioral Factors of Patients with Sexually Transmitted Infections Attending a Hospital in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Teresa Fasciana & Giuseppina Capra & Dario Lipari & Alberto Firenze & Anna Giammanco, 2022. "Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Diagnosis and Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-3, April.

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