Diagnostic aspects of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and herpes simplex virus

The sexually transmitted diseases (STOs) constitute a worldwide problem of major significance in terms of health. economic and social consequences. The most important STOs are Ihe bacterial infections syphilis (causative agent Treponema pal/idum sub·species pallidum), gonorrhoea (causative agent Neisseria gonorrllOeae, N. gOllorrhoeae), infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) and the viral infections herpes genitalis (causative agent herpes simplex virus, HSV), condylomata acuminata (causative agent human papilloma virus, HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus infections including AIDS. In addition, donovanosis (causative agent Calymmatobacterium grallulomatis) and chancroid (causative agent Haemophilus ducrep) are important in the developing countries. The combat against STOs is aimed at disrupting the infectious cascade. Attempts have been made to achieve this via education (for instance: safe sex campaigns), contact tracing, the screening of high-risk groups and treatment of patients. It was expected that this would decrease the spread of STOs in the community and prevent the development of complications and sequela in the individual patient..