Rapid diagnostic methods in sexually transmitted infections.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common infections throughout the developed and the developing world. It is estimated that worldwide there are 1 million new cases per day of curable bacterial STIs. As part of the World Health Organization 2001 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostics Initiative, the organization explored the need for simple, affordable, point-of-care STI testing for curable bacterial STIs. This article reviews the evidence supporting the implementation of currently available rapid tests for five common STIs: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and herpes.