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The Laboratory Diagnosis of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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Sexually Transmitted Infections

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Abstract

The laboratory diagnosis of STDs caused by bacteria and protozoa has been in place since the identification of the specific pathogens. Initially, the culture based techniques and the microscopic examination of genital secretions were considered the reference methods and in selected cases these methods are still relevant to achieve the laboratory diagnosis. In the last decades the major improvements in the diagnostic workflows were made based on the use of recombinant antigens for the serology of syphilis and the implementation of nucleic acids amplification techniques for most of these infections. The laboratory diagnosis of syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and genital mycoplasma is discussed, with a focus on the most innovative approaches.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DIMES – University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Vittorio Sambri

  2. Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy

    Vittorio Sambri

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  1. Vittorio Sambri
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Correspondence to Vittorio Sambri .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Antonio Cristaudo

  2. STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Massimo Giuliani

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Sambri, V. (2020). The Laboratory Diagnosis of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases. In: Cristaudo, A., Giuliani, M. (eds) Sexually Transmitted Infections . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02200-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02200-6_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-02199-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-02200-6

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