E-Book Overview
A comprehensive collection of cutting-edge molecular protocols for the laboratory diagnosis and study of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. The methods-each crafted by a leading expert for comprehensiveness and genuine laboratory utility-cover the major sexually transmitted pathogens, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilius ducreyl, Treponema pallidum, and herpes simplex. Additional molecular techniques are included for detecting the genital mycoplasmas, hepatitis B virus, HIV-1, human papillomavirus. Sexually Transmitted Disease Protocols provides a comprehensive collection of foolproof molecular methods for STD diagnosis, research, and patient management.
E-Book Content
The Impact of Molecular Technology on STD Control A Historical Perspective P. Frederick
Sparling
1. Introduction 1.1. The Way it Was Sexually transmitted diseaseshave afflicted humankind for millennia, based on references to apparent gonorrhea or nongonococcal urethritis in the Old Testament (Levtttcus). For most of history there has been no means of specific diagnosis, and clinical diagnosis of syndromes was fraught with error. Usually, this made no difference because there was no specific therapy and no means of prevention other than abstinence or monogamy, which was slightly effective at best (witness the very high prevalence of syphilis m much of Europe and the USA before advent of specific therapy, approaching 10% in many populations and 25% m some). Occasionally, syndromic diagnosis did cause serious consequences. If we could talk with John Hunter today, he certainly would bemoan the absence m his time of specific diagnostic tests for gonorrhea and syphilis. Had he had accessto such tests,he certainly would not have maculated himself with urethral exudate from a patient with gonorrhea and subclmical syphihs, resulting m the acqutsition of both