[Diagnostic resources for sexually transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)].
OBJECTIVE
With the aim of describing both the capacity and organization of the laboratories in Catalonia to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2005 and March 2006, which included 140 laboratories.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight laboratories performed some STI tests, 45 received more than 50 vaginal swabs per month, 42 diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis, but only six used polymerase chain reaction techniques. None diagnosed venereal lymphogranuloma. Eighty were able to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 76 by means of culture and 63 analyzed its antibiotic resistance. A total of 23, 22, 22 and 14 laboratories received more than 500 blood samples for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis, respectively. Non-treponemic and treponemic tests were available in 84 and 52 laboratories, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In Catalonia, most STIs can be diagnosed but new technologies need to be introduced. Moreover, the efficiency of biological sample circuits should be improved.
Calmet
Montserrat
M
Departament de Salut, Barcelona, España.
Juvé
Rosa
R
Alberny
Mireia
M
Andreu
Antonia
A
Loureiro
Eva
E
Matas
Lourdes
L
Vilamala
Anna
A
Casabona
Jordi
J
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology