Testing for sexually transmitted diseases in U.S. Public health laboratories in 2004.
OBJECTIVE
Appropriate laboratory testing practices are a critical part of sexually transmitted disease (STD) control.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to describe the type and volume of STD tests performed in public health laboratories in the United States in 2004.


METHODS
A web-based survey was made available to 144 members of the Association of Public Health Laboratories.


RESULTS
One hundred fourteen laboratories responded (79%). Overall, 3,553,196 chlamydia tests and 3,461,151 gonorrhea tests were performed; 64.4% of chlamydia tests and 60.8% of gonorrhea tests were nucleic acid amplification tests. Ninety-four percent of laboratories performed syphilis testing. Few laboratories used type-specific tests for herpes simplex virus or used new tests for trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, or human papillomavirus.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey collected important data that can be used to monitor trends in STD testing practices in public health laboratories.
Dicker
Linda Webster
LW
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Mosure
Debra J
DJ
Steece
Richard
R
Stone
Katherine M
KM
D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014492:United States Public Health Service / Q000592:standards*