Laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus

This new manual, Laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus, provides a basic understanding of the principles of laboratory tests in the context of screening and diagnostic approaches, as well as antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as components of STI control. As with the 1999 manual, this manual covers each disease in a separate chapter that provides detailed information on specimen collection, transport, and laboratory testing. Two useful annexes covering equipment, tests, media, reagents, and stains are included at the end of the manual. It is envisaged that this updated manual will be informative to administrators, programme managers, medical staff and nurses, as well as to the primary target audience, which remains microbiologists and medical technologists.

The manual may be a useful tool to assist in the procurement of the most appropriate diagnostic tests for individual settings, ideally through national and/or local expert advisory committees. The manual also is a valuable resource for those x Laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus training students, and for the students themselves, both within and outside of the laboratory environment. Finally, it is anticipated that the growth in diagnostic products and methodologies will continue in the next few years; therefore, it will be important for all readers to keep themselves up to date with the latest developments in the field.