title: [Utility of molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases and genital infections].
abstract: Historically, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has been difficult. The introduction of molecular biology techniques in microbiological diagnosis and their application to non-invasive samples has produced significant advances in the diagnosis of these diseases. Overall, detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by molecular biology techniques provides a presumptive diagnosis and requires confirmation by culture in areas with a low prevalence. For Chlamydia trachomatis infections, these techniques are considered to be the most sensitive and specific procedures for mass screening studies, as well as for the diagnosis of symptomatic patients. Diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium infection by culture is very slow and consequently molecular techniques are the only procedures that can provide relevant diagnostic information. For Treponema pallidum, molecular techniques can provide direct benefits in the diagnosis of infection. Molecular techniques are not established for the routine diagnosis of donovanosis, but can be recommended when performed by experts. Molecular methods are advisable in Haemophilus ducreyi, because of the difficulties of culture and its low sensitivity. In genital herpes, molecular techniques have begun to be recommended for routine diagnosis and could soon become the technique of choice. For other genital infections, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidosis and trichomoniasis, diagnosis by molecular methods is poorly established. With genital warts, techniques available for screening and genotyping of endocervical samples could be used for certain populations, but are not validated for this purpose.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijón, Asturias, España.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Otero Guerra
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lepe Jiménez
authors.forename: María Antonia
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blanco Galán
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aznar Martín
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vázquez Valdés
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D006100:Granuloma Inguinale / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic