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.
Approach
Two different approaches are pursued for test development. One approach is to use proven assay formats such as lateral flow or latex agglutination to detect specific antigens and or antibodies. The other approach is to use direct sensitive and specific non-enzymatic nucleic acid probing methods in combination with novel signal amplification and detection methods.
Focal points
· Development of point-of-care tests for STIs
· Development and evaluation of a multi-analyte test for STIs