title: [Diagnostic resources for sexually transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)].
abstract: 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.
authors: Departament de Salut, Barcelona, España.
authors: Montserrat
authors: M
authors: Calmet
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Juvé
authors: Mireia
authors: M
authors: Alberny
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Andreu
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Loureiro
authors: Lourdes
authors: L
authors: Matas
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Vilamala
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Casabona
mesh_terms: 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