Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Office and Laboratory Testing for STDs: Present and Future.

Schachter

    Adolescent Medicine (Philadelphia, Pa.)
    |October 1, 1990
    PubMed
    Summary

    This chapter provides guidance for clinicians in small clinics on which STD diagnostic tests to use on-site and which to refer to external laboratories. It outlines practical tests like Gram stain and darkfield examination for immediate use. It also highlights the need to send certain tests, like Chlamydia trachomatis detection, to specialized labs. The chapter aims to help clinicians make informed decisions about which diagnostic methods are most effective in their setting. It emphasizes the importance of balancing on-site and laboratory testing to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment of STDs.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    [Note on a new Rorschach "symptom" revealing the existence of personality disorders (aggressivity, turbulence, malice) in the school child].

    Archives internationales de neurologie, des maladies hereditaires, de medecine mentale et psychosomatique·2014
    Same author

    [Rorschach test and enuresis].

    Archives internationales de neurologie, des maladies hereditaires, de medecine mentale et psychosomatique·2014
    Same author

    [Review of recent foreign literature of neuro-psychopathology].

    Archives internationales de neurologie, des maladies hereditaires, de medecine mentale et psychosomatique·2014
    Same author

    Some hormonal treatments for thinness.

    Journal de medecine et de chirurgie pratiques·2010
    Same author

    Cervical ribs or costiform apophysomegaly; About a clinical case.

    L'Echo medical des Cevennes·2010
    Same author

    Role of the neuroendocrine field in the lability of menstrual function (about an observation).

    Journal des praticiens; revue generale de clinique et de therapeutique·2010

    Area of Science:

    • Clinical microbiology diagnostics
    • Sexual health laboratory testing
    • Point-of-care infectious disease testing

    Background:

    Clinicians managing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often lack access to large diagnostic facilities. Existing literature outlines essential diagnostic tools for such settings. Prior research has established the importance of rapid diagnostic methods in controlling disease spread. However, gaps remain in defining which tests are most practical for limited-resource clinics. No prior work had resolved how to balance on-site testing with laboratory referrals. This uncertainty drove the need to clarify which diagnostic methods are feasible in small clinics. The chapter addresses this by identifying tests suitable for immediate use versus those requiring external labs. It aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes in such settings.

    Purpose Of The Study:

    The chapter's aim is to guide clinicians in small clinics on which STD tests to prioritize. It addresses the challenge of limited laboratory access by recommending on-site and off-site diagnostic options. The motivation stems from the need to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis of STDs. The authors propose that certain tests should be available locally, while others require referral. They seek to clarify which diagnostic methods are most effective in small clinic settings. The focus is on practicality and diagnostic reliability for common STDs. The chapter emphasizes tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis as critical examples. It aims to bridge the gap between clinical needs and available diagnostic resources.

    Keywords:
    STD diagnostic testingPoint-of-care laboratory methodsSexually transmitted disease testingClinical microbiology diagnostics

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The chapter recommends Gram stain testing, culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and darkfield examination for on-site use.

    Chlamydia trachomatis testing may require specialized equipment not available in small clinics, necessitating laboratory referral.

    Darkfield examination is a diagnostic tool used to detect Treponema pallidum in syphilis cases.

    The chapter suggests selecting tests based on clinic resources, disease prevalence, and diagnostic accuracy.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Main Methods:

    The authors review diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted diseases suitable for small clinics. They evaluate which tests can be performed on-site versus those needing external laboratories. The approach includes analyzing Gram stain testing for practicality in limited settings. They assess culture methods for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and their feasibility in small clinics. The chapter describes darkfield examination for syphilis as a viable on-site option. Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis is discussed in terms of accessibility and accuracy. Herpes simplex virus detection methods are evaluated for use in small clinics. The authors summarize the diagnostic value of these tests for common STDs.

    Main Results:

    The chapter identifies Gram stain testing as a practical on-site diagnostic tool for certain STDs. Culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is recommended for use in small clinics when appropriate. Darkfield examination is highlighted as a useful method for syphilis diagnosis. Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis is described as essential but may require laboratory referral. Herpes simplex virus detection is outlined as a critical but often laboratory-dependent process. Chancroid diagnosis is noted to rely on specific tests that may not be available locally. The chapter emphasizes the importance of selecting tests based on clinic resources and disease prevalence. It provides a framework for clinicians to prioritize diagnostic methods based on availability.

    Conclusions:

    The authors conclude that certain STD tests should be available on-site in small clinics for immediate use. They propose that Gram stain testing and darkfield examination are practical for local use. Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis may require referral to external laboratories for accurate diagnosis. The chapter suggests that clinicians should prioritize tests based on clinic capabilities and disease frequency. It does not claim that all tests are equally accessible in limited-resource settings. The authors emphasize the need for a balanced approach between on-site and laboratory testing. They do not assert that any single test is essential for all STD diagnoses. The chapter aims to guide clinicians in making informed decisions about diagnostic testing.

    Gram stain testing is a practical on-site method for identifying certain bacterial infections like gonorrhea.

    The authors propose that small clinics should prioritize accessible diagnostic methods to improve patient outcomes.