Vaginal microbicides can interfere with nucleic acid amplification tests used for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.

We confirmed findings from previous studies that cellulose sulfate gel can interfere with nucleic acid amplification tests used for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We therefore recommend that the effects of microbicide gels on diagnostic assays of sexually transmitted infections be established before starting up clinical studies.

The impact of incident and prevalent herpes simplex virus-2 infection on the incidence of HIV-1 infection among commercial sex workers in South Africa.

This study investigated the impact of prevalent and incident HSV-2 infection on the incidence of HIV-1 infection in a cohort of female commercial sex workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Prior to a vaginal microbicide trial, 416 women were screened for antibodies to HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infections and a questionnaire was used to establish behavioral, social, and demographic characteristics. A total of 187 HIV-1-seronegative women were followed up at monthly intervals when blood was drawn and used to detect HIV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies.

Performance of commercially available enzyme immunoassays for detection of antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 2 in African populations.

Data are accumulating on the performance of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for the detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in North America and Europe, but little is known about their performance in other populations. Nine test kits were evaluated with 330 serum samples from sub-Saharan Africa. The tests were first compared to the monoclonal antibody (MAb) EIA (Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom).

Assessment of the validity of and adherence to sexually transmitted infection algorithms at a female sex worker clinic in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Algorithms for sexually transmitted infection (STI) case management were designed in a female sex worker (FSW) clinic in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 1993.

Goal: The goal was to evaluate the long-term validity of the algorithms for returning clients of the clinic and to assess the adherence of the health workers to their application.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1999 to 2000 among FSWs attending as returning clients.

Penile application of dextrin sulphate gel (Emmelle).

Dextrin sulphate (DS) gel (Emmelle) is under development as a vaginal microbicide. Males who do not use condoms will be exposed to DS gel through sexual intercourse. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 16 HIV-positive and 12 HIV-negative men to establish whether 4% DS gel has an acceptable safety profile.

Syndromic versus laboratory-based diagnosis of cervical infections among female sex workers in Benin: implications of nonattendance for return visits.

Background: The syndromic diagnostic approach is the most realistic and cost-effective strategy for controlling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the developing world. Its potential advantages should be evaluated.

Goal: The goal of the current study was to examine whether the syndromic approach might diagnose more cases of cervicitis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis than laboratory tests.