Emerging Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

Although the majority of sexually transmitted infections have been extensively studied, recent events have brought three new or emerging STDs into the public spotlight. Cytomegalovirus and Zika virus infections cause a mild flu-like illness in adults but have devastating consequences when transferred congenitally. The recent epidemic of Zika virus has led to an increase in and renewed interest in these two viral infections. Mycoplasma genitalium, on the other hand, causes severe genital symptoms but its minimal biochemical nature has made isolation and study difficult. This article will describe the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of Cytomegalovirus, Zika virus, and Mycoplasma genitalium. ABBREVIATIONS: STD Sexually Transmitted Disease, CMV Cytomegalovirus, CDC Centers for Disease Control, NGU Nongonoccocal urethritis, PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, HCV Hepatitis C Virus RT-PCR Real-time polymerase chain reaction, RT-RPA Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay