Sexually transmitted infections (STI)

In resource poor countries the treatment of sexual transmitted infections (STIs) is often inadequate due to poor diagnosis or limited access to laboratory services. Accurate and prompt laboratory diagnosis is often crucial for the proper treatment of STIs and to prevent further spread of the infection. Major limitations for the use of diagnostic tests in STI clinics and community health centers are their high costs and complexity of the currently approved and available diagnostics. Furthermore most of these diagnostics are time consuming and their use may delay the treatment of the patients. The availability of simple, rapid and affordable point-of-care diagnostic tests is essential to combat STIs and to prevent their further transmission and spread.