A single test that can quickly detect four of the most common sexually transmitted infections is to be developed, after researchers were awarded a £150,000 grant.
Scientists at St George’s, University of London, UK, and diagnostics company Atlas Genetics hope that the funding from Innovate UK will enable them to develop the test that will detect chlamydia, trichomonas vaginalis, mycoplasma genitalium, and gonorrhoea in just 30 minutes.
Welcoming the grant, Dr Tariq Sadiq, chief investigator at St George’s, said: “The diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases has become very challenging for doctors and this new test will allow for patients to have their precise infection identified to enable treatment with the correct antibiotics, immediately after they see a doctor.”
John Clarkson, CEO of Atlas Genetics, said the test will cover the majority of pathogens for patients who attend sexual health clinics.
Aquarius Population Health will also work on the project to establish its cost effectiveness and to examine any potential impact on patients.
Dr Sadiq leads the eSTI2 Consortium, which has developed a smartphone app that enables patients to access the eSexual Health Clinic to get rapid online treatment for chlamydia infection once diagnosed.
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