CDC Updates Guidelines on STD Treatment

The guidelines note that culture, nucleic acid hybridization tests, and nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) are available for the detection of both N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. “Culture and hybridization tests require urethral swab specimens, whereas NAATs can be performed on urine specimens. Because of their higher sensitivity, NAATs are preferred for the detection of C. trachomatis.”

▸ Revised guidance on the evaluation of neurosyphilis. Laboratory diagnosis of neurosyphilis usually depends on various combinations of reactive serologic test results, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count or protein, and a reactive CSF-Venereal Disease Research Lab [VDRL] test with or without clinical manifestations.

“Among persons with HIV infection, the CSF leukocyte count usually is elevated (greater than 5 white blood cell count/mm

Dr. Workowski and Dr. Berman emphasized that the guidelines “should be regarded as a source of clinical guidance and not prescriptive standards; health care providers should always consider the clinical circumstances of each person in the context of local disease prevalence. They are applicable to various patient-care settings, including family-planning clinics, private physicians' offices, managed care organizations, and other primary care facilities.”

Routine HPV vaccination of females aged 11 or 12 years is recommended, as is a catch-up vaccine.

Source DR. WORKOWSKI