scholarly journals The Laboratory Diagnosis ofHaemophilus ducreyi

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Alfa
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Primary Method ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Genetic Amplification

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection caused byHaemophilus ducreyi. This fastidious, Gram-negative coccobacilli dies rapidly outside the human host, making diagnostic testing using culture methods difficult. This genital ulcer infection is not common in Canada and, therefore, can often be misdiagnosed. The objective of the present paper is to provide practical approaches for the diagnosis of chancroid in Canadian patients where the prevalence of this infection is low. Issues related to sample collection, sample transport and available diagnostic tests are reviewed, and several alternative approaches are outlined. Although antigen detection, serology and genetic amplification methods have all been reported forH ducreyi, none are commercially available. Culture is still the primary method available to most laboratories. However, the special media necessary for direct bedside inoculation is often not available; therefore, communication with the diagnostic laboratory and rapid specimen transport are essential when chancroid is suspected

scholarly journals The Laboratory Diagnosis ofTrichomonas vaginalis

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary E Garber
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Wet Mount ◽  
Pros And Cons

Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasitic protozoa that causes the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis, is the sexually transmitted infection with the largest annual incidence, exceeding 170 million cases per year. The disease can be difficult to diagnose due to its heterogeneous presentation and problems with diagnostic testing. All diagnostic tests are fraught with imperfections, but the old, reliable wet mount examination (in trained hands), and the newer InPouch method may be advantageous due to simplicity in technology and cost. The present article reviews the pros and cons of culture, antibody and nucleic acid-based technologies that may point to future diagnostic advances.

scholarly journals The Laboratory Diagnosis of HIV Infections

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Fearon
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Results

HIV diagnostic testing has come a long way since its inception in the early 1980s. Current enzyme immunoassays are sensitive enough to detect antibody as early as one to two weeks after infection. A variety of other assays are essential to confirm positive antibody screens (Western blot, polymerase chain reaction [PCR]), provide an adjunct to antibody testing (p24 antigen, PCR), or provide additional information for the clinician treating HIV-positive patients (qualitative and quantitative PCR, and genotyping). Most diagnostic laboratories have complex testing algorithms to ensure accuracy of results and optimal use of laboratory resources. The choice of assays is guided by the initial screening results and the clinical information provided by the physician; both are integral to the laboratory's ability to provide an accurate laboratory diagnosis. Laboratories should also provide specific information on specimen collection, storage and transport so that specimen integrity is not compromised, thereby preserving the accuracy of laboratory results. Point of Care tests have become increasingly popular in the United States and some places in Canada over the past several years. These tests provide rapid, on-site HIV results in a format that is relatively easy for clinic staff to perform. However, the performance of these tests requires adherence to good laboratory quality control practices, as well as the backup of a licensed diagnostic laboratory to provide confirmation and resolution of positive or indeterminate results. Laboratory quality assurance programs and the participation in HIV proficiency testing programs are essential to ensure that diagnostic laboratories provide accurate, timely and clinically relevant laboratory results.

A Review on Diagnostic Methods for Trichomonas Vaginalis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Rahmani ◽  
Yahya Ehteshaminia ◽  
Hamid Mohammadi ◽  
Seif Ali Mahdavi
Keyword(s):  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

Introduction: Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection in the world, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, which infects the urogenital tract of men and women. Approximately, 250 million new cases of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection are reported worldwide each year. Trichomoniasis is also considered an important HIV co-infection. The infection is often asymptomatic but can be accompanied by symptoms such as severe inflammation, itching and irritation, foamy discharge, and malodorous smell mucus, but the signs and symptoms of the disease are not sufficient for specific diagnosis. Material and Methods: In this study, the websites of PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and Margiran were searched and related articles were reviewed. Results: Only screening and the use of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic methods can identify asymptomatic individuals. Today, the most common way to diagnose the infection is to use wet slide, Pap smear and culture methods that do not have high sensitivity and specificity. Also, due to the increase in infection and its complications, finding an efficient, rapid, and easy test to detect the parasite and differentiate Trichomoniasis vaginitis from other sexually transmitted diseases is considered important and necessary. Conclusion: Nowadays, there are several diagnostic methods that differentiate trichomoniasis infection from other sexually transmitted infections with high accuracy and sensitivity. Of course, existing diagnostic methods mostly use women's urine and vaginal samples for diagnosis, and methods that specifically diagnose the infection in men are more limited.

scholarly journals Analysis of Infection Loads in Mycoplasma genitalium Clinical Specimens by Use of a Commercial Diagnostic Test

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald L. Murray ◽  
Jennifer Danielewski ◽  
Kaveesha Bodiyabadu ◽  
Dorothy A. Machalek ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Diagnostic Potential ◽  
Female Urine

ABSTRACT Mycoplasma genitalium is a common sexually transmitted infection with a propensity to acquire resistance to commonly used antimicrobial therapies. Bacterial load has been linked to patient symptoms and the success of treatment. In this study, we demonstrate methodology to estimate load from routine diagnostic assays using the ResistancePlus MG test (SpeeDx Pty Ltd., Australia). The method gave comparable quantitation to an M. genitalium-specific 16S rRNA quantitative PCR (qPCR; Spearman r = 0.94) for the samples analyzed (n = 499, including urine and swab types as detailed below) and was, therefore, employed to analyze typical load levels for samples in a diagnostic laboratory (total of 1,012 tests). When stratified by sample type, female urine (median, 826 genomes/ml) had the lowest load. This was significantly lower than median loads for all other sample types (male urine [6.91 × 103 genomes/ml], anal swabs [5.50 × 103], cervical swabs [8.15 × 103], endocervical swabs [3.97 × 103], and vaginal swabs [6.95 × 103]) (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in load estimates between the other sample types. Reproducibility of load estimates conducted on the same samples was high (r > 0.85). In conclusion, this methodology to provide load estimates for M. genitalium can be easily integrated into routine diagnostic laboratory workflow. Given the association between organism load, symptoms, and treatment success, load assessment has future diagnostic potential.

scholarly journals Availability of laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhoea and its meaning in case reporting in Shandong province, China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinlong Chen ◽  
Yanling Gan ◽  
dianchang liu
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Shandong Province ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to understand the availability of laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhoea in Shandong province and its meaning in case reporting. Methods Two surveys were conducted among hospitals providing clinical services for sexually transmitted infection(STI) in Shandong Province in 2012 and 2018. The availability of laboratory tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and distribution of reported gonorrhea cases were compared among different hospitals provided clinical services for STI in Shandong province. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square were used for statistical analysis. Results Smear, culture and PCR tests for NG were used among 301(74.69%), 123(30.52%), 43(10.67%) hospitals in 2012 and 356(74.48%), 176(36.82%) and 73(15.27%) hospitals in 2018, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the availability of smear among hospitals at different levels (X2 = 12.159, p = 0.000) and with different affiliations(X2 = 4.551, p = 0.033) in 2018. Significant differences were observed in the availability of culture and PCR tests among hospitals at different levels both in 2012 (X2 = 34.532, p = 0.000; X2 = 7.380, p = 0.007) and 2018 (X2 = 49.820, p = 0.000; X2 = 21.658, p = 0.000). The availability of culture and PCR tests for NG among hospitals in 2018 was higher than that in 2012 (X2 = 3.870, p = 0.049; X2 = 4.050, p = 0.044). More hospitals reported gonorrhea cases in 2018 than in 2012 (X2 = 6.768, p = 0.009). A significant difference was observed in distribution of case reporting among hospitals at different levels in 2018 (X2 = 6.975, p = 0.008) and among different types of hospitals both in 2012 (X2 = 52.362, p = 0.000) and 2018 (X2 = 74.478, p = 0.000). Conclusion Poor availability of NG laboratory tests affects case reporting and is a crucial reason leading to high sex ratio and underreporting of gonorrhea cases in Shandong province. Trial registration Not applicable

Sexually transmitted infection

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma J. McCarty ◽  
Wallace Dinsmore
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Dna Identification ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Rising Incidence ◽  
The Common ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Genitourinary Medicine ◽  
Common Infections

The rising incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) provides a challenge to clinicians in all fields to whom patients may present. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the common infections, particularly those aspects which may be relevant to urologists. There have been many recent changes in diagnostic testing (including use of polymerase chain reaction DNA identification) and treatment for STIs, especially with regard to the increasing resistance of gonorrhoea to many antibiotics. The presence of sexual infection is often overlooked in clinical practice or diagnosed late in the course of investigation of symptoms, resulting in difficulty in treatment and in some cases permanent sequelae. This overview should enable urologists to consider STI when formulating a list of differential diagnoses and aid appropriate testing or prompt referral to specialist genitourinary medicine clinics.

scholarly journals Serodiagnostic Investigation of Syphilis in Taluka Gambat

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-81
Author(s):  
Sagheer Hussain Shah ◽  
Agha Asad Noor
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Serological Method ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Background: Syphilis is a chronic and sexually transmitted infection, caused by Treponema pallidum. Taluka Gambat is an under developing rural area of District Khairpur, Sindh having higher poverty rate. This study was undertaken to assess the morbidity rate of syphilis and awareness about this disease in the population of Gambat. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of syphilis in various age groups of male and female population of Taluka Gambat to review the frequency of occurrence of syphilis. Methodology: This work was done using conventional serological method by collecting data and laboratory diagnosis. Total 437 serum samples from different private and public health units, dispensaries and hospitals in Taluka Gambat were collected between October 2016 to March 2017 and subjected to qualitative testing by VDRL-Immune Chromatography test. Results: Out of 437 samples, 80 samples (18%) were reactive in adults of 30-45 years of age and one sample showed positive case in 9 months old boy indicating congenital syphilis (0.2%) whereas 373 stood non-reactive.  Our results showed a 14% prevalence of syphilis in Taluka Gambat in the age group between 30-45 years of age and 0.2% congenital syphilis. It is an alarming situation due to lack of diagnostic, treatment facilities and awareness about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Conclusion: It is concluded that syphilis is found more or less in all age groups. The highest incidence is observed in population of age group between 30-40 years in Taluka Gambat. Majority infections were found in immunocompromised patients owing to drug abuse and having multiple sex partners.

scholarly journals The Laboratory Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Money
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Vaginal Flora ◽  
Gram Stain ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Stain Analysis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an extremely common health problem for women. In addition to the troublesome symptoms often associated with a disruption in the balance of vaginal flora, BV is associated with adverse gynecological and pregnancy outcomes. Although not technically a sexually transmitted infection, BV is a sexually associated condition. Diagnostic tests include real-time clinical/microbiological diagnosis, and the current gold standard, the standardized evaluation of morphotypes on Gram stain analysis. The inappropriate use of vaginal culture can be misleading. Future developments into molecular-based diagnostics will be important to further understand this complex endogenous flora disruption.

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