DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Accurate and timely diagnostic methods for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very esssential because such diseases pose a big threat to public health. This systematic review gives a detailed overview of the wide range of diagnostic approaches, technologies, challenges and future possible ways in the STI diagnosis. A review of the traditional laboratory methods, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), point-of-care testing (POCT) and also new diagnostic technologies discuss their significant contributions to the revolution in STI diagnostics. Challenges including the antimicrobial resistance, evolving pathogens and also poor access to testing quality assurance have been identified which highlights the need for continued interventions aimed at addressing these challenges. Over the horizon, integrated syndromic approaches and further development of point-of-care testing technologies as well as precision medicine strategies based on novel biomarkers and technology present many exciting possibilities for improving the accuracy, accessibility, diagnoses usefulness. This review seeks to guide current and future practices in the clinical microbiology toward STI diagnosis, highlighting innovations and challenges that are key for patient welfare advancements in public health efforts against the STIs.