Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most common infectious diseases reported worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that more than 1 million STIs are acquired each day [1]. These infections can affect an individual’s health in numerous ways, ranging from stigmatization and sexual dysfunction to infertility, pregnancy complications, and increased risk of certain cancers and other conditions. Combine these varied and potentially profound impacts with the prevalence, incidence, and associated costs of infections, and it is easy to see why STIs continue to be such a significant and ongoing challenge to public health around the globe.
Lab professionals have long played a vital role in optimizing STI patient care, as well as in STI surveillance, trend monitoring, and the identification of potential outbreaks. However, as Barbara Van Der Pol, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, points out in the new webinar, Molecular diagnostic approaches to accelerate and improve STI diagnosis, staying up to date on screening guidelines and diagnostic methodologies across this “ever-evolving landscape” can be a daunting task.
STI epidemiology is complex and dynamic
Dr. Van Der Pol explains that STI epidemiology is inherently dynamic, with new strains emerging and treatment strategies changing over time. Likewise, shifts in sexual behaviors and sexual network attributes can lead to revised recommendations regarding which populations benefit most from screening, which sample types should be used for testing, and how those samples are best collected. Creating even further complexity, STIs can have diverse clinical manifestations, with the most common infections—chlamydia and gonorrhea—predominantly asymptomatic, especially in women.
In her presentation, Dr. Van Der Pol touches on all of these concerns as she discusses the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) screening guidelines for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), noting how and why EU guidelines may vary.
“One size doesn’t fit all” when it comes to STI testing
In the webinar, Dr. Van Der Pol also offers insights about several other relevant issues, such as the pros and cons of bundling tests for screening and/or diagnosis, challenges associated with different sample types, and sample collection options, including how self-collected swabs can improve the clinical workflow. Adapting protocols to provide the most accurate diagnosis enhances STI patient care, helps in prevention and control efforts, and promotes collaboration and research in the field of sexually transmitted infections.
“One size really doesn’t fit all,” Dr. Van Der Pol concludes. “And while we try to give our clients everything that they want, that’s going to vary. It’s going to depend on your client base, and I think it’s really important that the lab work with providers and that providers really understand exactly what’s being offered and for whom it’s appropriate.”
To learn more about emerging STI testing trends and evolving guidelines, watch the webinar on demand.
For information on Thermo Fisher Scientific’s clinical STI testing solutions, please visit TaqPath Menu | GeneProof STI portfolio.
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