Survey of diagnostic resources for STI in Spain.

Background: Scarce information is available on the resources to deal with the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), both in the clinic and in the laboratory. The objective is to describe and know the reality of the clinics and laboratories that treat these infections in Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with data collection through a survey aimed at the members of the GEITS Group.

Survey of diagnostic resources for STI in Spain.

Background: Scarce information is available on the resources to deal with the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), both in the clinic and in the laboratory. The objective is to describe and know the reality of the clinics and laboratories that treat these infections in Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with data collection through a survey aimed at the members of the GEITS Group.

Molecular diagnostic of syphilis.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum with an increasing incidence in Spain and in the rest of the world. Diagnosis is based mainly on serology, since direct diagnosis by dark field microscopy presents difficulties that limit its widespread use.

Syphilis.

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochaete Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum which is transmitted by sexual contact or vertical transmission during pregnancy. The incidence of syphilis has increased in the last years, mainly among men who have sex with men.

Rapid diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are responsible for an enormous burden of morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, millions of cases of STIs, such as syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea occur every year, and there is now an increase in antimicrobial resistance in pathogens, such as gonococcus. Delay in diagnosis is one of the factors that justifies the difficulty in controlling these infections.

Prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among young men and women in Spain.

Background: There are no accurate data regarding the real prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Spain. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis infections and the risk factors for acquiring them among 1,048 young (15-24 years old) inhabitants of Laviana.

[Utility of molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases and genital infections].

Historically, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has been difficult. The introduction of molecular biology techniques in microbiological diagnosis and their application to non-invasive samples has produced significant advances in the diagnosis of these diseases. Overall, detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by molecular biology techniques provides a presumptive diagnosis and requires confirmation by culture in areas with a low prevalence.

[Update on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of sexually-transmitted infections].

In the last decade, cases of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) have progressively increased in Europe. The reasons for this increase are unclear, but may involve changes in social behavior, migration and international travel, coupled with the emergence of risk groups that have not been taken into sufficient consideration to date. The routine use of molecular diagnostic techniques for many of these infections has solved many problems of sensitivity and the suitability of samples for microbiological diagnosis: non-invasive samples can be used, which has undoubtedly contributed to the increase in the number of cases.

[Transmission of hepatitis C virus in pregnant women].

Background And Objective: Our goal was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in pregnant women from Asturias as well as the vertical transmission rate.

Patients And Method: This was a prospective study of consecutive pregnant women from the 5th Health Area of Principado de Asturias (Northern Spain). We determined the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in the first trimester of pregnancy and the rate of mother-to-child transmission.

[Varicella and parvovirus B19 immunity among pregnant women in Gijón, Spain].

Background: We aimed at determining the inmunological status regarding varicella and parvovirus B19 in pregnant women in Gijón, Spain, and its correlation with several clinical and epidemiological parameters.

Patients And Method: Blood samples taken during the first trimester of pregnancy in the area of Gijón were analysed to determine the immunological status with respect to varicella and parvovirus B19. The study included 2 groups: 99 non-European (all tested for both varicella and parvovirus) and 2,188 Europeans (406 were randomly selected for varicella test and 287 for parvovirus test).