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ADVANCE Outlook: Lab Professionals

A New Record

Published November 13, 2007 2:19 PM by Kerri Penno

CNN is running an Associated Press story about Chlamydia. Apparently, more than 1 million cases of the sexually transmitted disease were reported in the U.S. last year: the most cases ever reported for an STD.

And it doesn't stop with Chlamydia. Rates rose for the first time in 15 years for Syphilis infections; and Gonorrhea rates are rising after a record low, in part due to antibiotic resistance, the article reported.

As I mentioned in a recent Web feature on MRSA, increased rates mean one (or a combination) of things are happening:

  1. testing is increasing,
  2. testing capabilities are improving or
  3. infections are increasing.

So what is it in the case of STD rates? Are you seeing more testing, using new tests or simply seeing more positive tests? 

posted by Kerri Penno
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1 comments
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I believe the increase in the positivity rate of Chlamydia and GC might be due, in part, to two things.  One, the sensitivity of the assays we use, and two more opportunity to test.  The NAA testing that is available has a much greater sensitivity and specificity than routine cultures, and it is much easier to test since you can order these tests on a urine specimen or a pap smear.
kristy, Serology/Virology - Advanced Med Tech December 13, 2007 8:36 PM
Springfield MA

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