What is the test for?
This test detects a wide range of STI pathogens (including Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, urealyticum, ureaplasma parvum, HSV1/2, HPV 6/11) using PCR and “Flow through” hybridization.
What are sexually transmitted infections?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs may be spread via skin-to-skin sexual contact. The organisms causing STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as blood transfer. Many STIs—including chlamydia, gonorrhoeae, hepatitis B, HIV, HPV, HSV2 and syphilis—can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.
What are the causes of STIs?
More than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites can cause sexually transmitted infections.
Bacteria: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, syphilis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum
Viruses: Herpes Simples Virus, Human Papillomavirus, HIV, HBV
Parasites: Trichomonas vaginalis
Sexual activity plays a role in spreading many other infectious agents.
Most of the STI are asymptomatic.
85% of STI cases are asymptomatic at the very beginning. It takes a long time for those pathogens like CT, MG, UU, HSV to develop symptoms. People infected with those pathogens will unconsciously pass the pathogens to their sexual partners.
What are the effects if left STIs untreated?
People tend to overlook the asymptomatic pathogens when they’re co-infected with symptomatic ones. While the ones with symptoms are treated, the asymptomatic ones are usually left unnoticed, leading to serious consequences, eg, premature labour, still-births, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostate cancer, eye infection in new-born baby, infertility etc. If not treated properly, some STIs can lead to serious health problems and increase your chances of getting HIV by 300 times#.
Reference:
#https://www.fhi360.org/sites/default/files/webpages/Modules/STD/s1pg12.htm
Test Specifications
Sample requirements and handling instruction
| Sample type | Pre-sampling Preparation | Sample Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Patient is advised not to urinate for at least two hours prior to specimen collection | Collect 10 - 30 ml of first void urine in a clean container and close tightly |
| Swab | No particular requirement | Dacron-, rayon- or calcium alginate-tipped plastic or non-aluminum swabs can be used |
| Liquid-based cytology specimen | No particular requirement | Samples should be collected using a cervical broom and placed in liquid-based cytology preservative |
Storage and Transportation Conditions
- Sample should be stored at 2 - 8oC(for urine and swab) and room temperature (for Liquid-based cytology specimen)
- Sample may be stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours during transportation
Rejection Criteria
- Sample without proper labeling
- Sample not in requested format or insufficient quantity
- Sample in expired container
- Container leakage
- Sampling date is more than: 14 days for liquid-based cytology specimen; or 7 days for urine / swab specimen
- Test request form without / with mismatched patient identification information
Factor(s) known to affect results
- Improper collection, handling and storage of specimen
- Inadequate specimen
- Infection status
- Presence of inhibitor
Who should consider the test?
- Sexually active individual
- People who have unprotected sex
- People who have multi sex partner
- People who have persistent STD infection
- People who start sexual activities at an early age
- People who use alcohol or drugs