Sexually Transmitted Bacterial and Protozoal Infections

Abstract

Bacterial and protozoal sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis) are curable, even though they remain as some of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) worldwide. After a period of decreased infection rates, the reported instances of infection of this group of STDs is on the rise. Although widely accepted treatment is available for each of these diseases, gonorrhea in particular is beginning to demonstrate a pattern of antibiotic resistance that is predicted to lead to future treatment difficulties. Diagnostic capabilities have greatly increased the rapidness of treatment as recent technological advances in molecular methods has significantly impacted the speed and accuracy of STD diagnosis. ABBREVIATIONS: CDC - Centers for Disease Control, STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease, STIs - Sexually Transmitted Infections, PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HSV - Herpes Simplex Virus, GISP - Gonoccocal Isolate Surveillance Project