| 1. |
- Domeika, Marius, et al.
(author)
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Survey of Diagnostic Services for Genital Herpes in Fourteen Countries in Eastern Europe
- 2011
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In: Acta Dermato-Venereologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 0001-5555 .- 1651-2057. ; 91:3, s. 333-336
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports survey-based data on the diagnosis and management of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in 14 countries of the Eastern European Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health (EE SRH). Only 43% of the countries could provide the number of genital HSV cases recorded at national level. Eighty-six percent of countries employed syndromic management in cases of genital ulcer disease. Most countries performed type-specific and/or non-type-specific enzyme immunoassays to detect HSV antibodies. Non-type-specific serology for diagnostic purposes should be actively discouraged. Direct detection methods for HSV, such as PCR, antigen detection and culture, are available in the region, but their usage was extremely low. Their use in Eastern European countries should be actively promoted. The availability of laboratory services must be improved, and countries in the region should implement consensus recommendations for the laboratory diagnosis of genital HSV infections in order to improve clinical practice.
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| 2. |
- Kucinskiene, Vesta, et al.
(author)
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Home sampling and pooling of vaginal samples are effective tools for genetic screening of Chlamydia trachomatis among high school female students in Lithuania
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - London : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 40:2, s. 88-93
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aims were 1) to estimate the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among sexually active female students in Kaunas, Lithuania; 2) to investigate the usefulness of personal invitation, self-sampling, and pooling of samples for screening; and 3) to evaluate the costs of the approaches used. A cross-sectional study inviting 795 female students (18–31 y of age) from 7 high schools and 1 college in Kaunas was performed. The response rate was 67% (533/795). Self-obtained vaginal samples were analysed, individually and pooled (n=3), using Digene Hybrid Capture II CT/NG Test. The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 5.6%. Among the sexually active female students 20–24 y of age (n=424), the prevalence was 7.1%; however, the prevalence varied from 0% to 14.2% at the different schools. For estimation of the population prevalence based solely on identification of C. trachomatis positive pools, the pooling strategy reduced the costs by 85%. For estimation of population prevalence and for diagnosis of each individual sample, pooling reduced the costs by 70%. Targeted screening, using pooling to reduce the expenses, mainly of 3rd and 4th y Lithuanian female students could be recommended. By extended personal contact and internet-based communication, increased participation rates may be attained.
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| 3. |
- Kucinskiene, Vesta, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence and risk factors of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection
- 2006
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In: Medicina (Kaunas). - 1010-660X .- 1648-9144. ; 42:11, s. 885-894
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to provide a survey and generalization of literature data on the epidemiological situation of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in various countries, preventive screenings and risk factors of the infection. We performed a survey of articles published during 1998-2005 and selected from bibliographical medical search databases presenting data on the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and the main risk factors for this sexually transmitted infection. Chlamydial infection is the most common among sexually transmitted genital infections worldwide. It has been found that the main risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection are age, irregular and/or accidental sexual relationships and change of sexual partners, failure to use or erratic use of barrier contraception during intercourse, and insufficient knowledge about sexual life and care for one's sexual health. Most countries do not have national preventive screening programs or exhaustive information about the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The comparison of the prevalence and incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among different countries is complicated due to the different diagnostic methods and sample selection techniques applied; however, in order to decrease the prevalence of chlamydial infection and its impact on the reproductive health of the society, significant attention should be paid to sexual education, preventive screening of people in high-risk groups, as well as to early diagnostics and timely treatment.
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