Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a public health problem of major significance in most parts of the world. The incidence of acute STDs is believed to be high in many countries. STDs are among the most common infectious diseases in the US, affecting more than 13 million men and women each year, and, as a group, their incidence is on the rise.

Early diagnosis is critical since some STDs can cause major reproductive and other health problems if left untreated.  Failure to diagnose and treat STDs at an early stage may result in serious complications and sequelae, including infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, some types of cancer, and premature death, as well as neonatal and infant infections. The individual and national expenditure on care of patients with STDs can be substantial.

The appearance of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has focused greater attention on the control of STDs. There is a strong correlation between the spread of conventional STDs and HIV transmission, and both ulcerative and non-ulcerative STDs have been found to increase the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.

Inverness Medical Innovations is one of the leading providers of diagnostic tests for HIV.  In addition, we offer a variety of diagnostic tests for other STDs including syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, trichomonas, genital herpes, and hepatitis B.

The magnitude of the healthcare burden associated with some of the more common STDs is highlighted below.  As a whole, the STD market is extensive and expanding.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Worldwide, some 37.8 million people are living with HIV. Some 4.8 million people were newly infected in 2003, and the incidence continues to rise, especially in women.  HIV is linked to other sexually transmitted diseases; for example, there is a 2- to 5-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV infection when syphilis is present.  Overall, the HIV virus is transmitted more readily in people with untreated STDs.

By testing early, a person can take immediate steps to determine a medical care plan with their physician or health care provider. Early testing also alerts an HIV-infected person to avoid high-risk behaviors that may pass along the virus to others.

Syphilis (Treponema pallidum infection)
Syphilis remains a public health threat around the world, with 12 million new cases of syphilis each year, mostly in developing countries. However, today the Incidence is rapidly increasing in Eastern Europe as well. The epidemiology of the disease is seen today to be shifting to homosexual men and illicit drug users in North America and Europe. Congenital syphilis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with 500,000 infants born each year with congenital syphilis, and 500,000 stillbirths and miscarriages annually caused by maternal syphilis.  The incidence of syphilis is causally linked to HIV transmission, with a 2- to 5-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV infection when syphilis is present.

Diagnostic testing is valuable for those showing with suspicious clinical lesions, and to screen pregnant women for congenital syphilis.

Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis infection)
An estimated 2.8 million Americans are infected with Chlamydia each year.  Chlamydia is one of the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted diseases.  In the United States in 2002, 834,555 Chlamydial infections were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Under-reporting is substantial because most people with Chlamydia are not aware of their infections or have only mild symptoms and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.
Left untreated, Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, as well as conjunctivitis and pneumonia in their newborns. 

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a global health problem, one that remains endemic in large portions of the world.  Some 2 billion people are infected worldwide, and 350 million people currently have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBV is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Each year, some 4 million people are newly infected, 1 million people a year die from hepatitis B or associated liver diseases.