THE SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES LABORATORY IN A FRAMEWORK OF POPULATION-BASED DIAGNOSTICS

Laboratory support for the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases has traditionally been within a patient-based diagnostic paradigm. Tests and interpretative criteria developed within this paradigm may not be appropriate for laboratories supporting population-based STD control programs. As STD control strategies expand to population-based levels, the present patient-based laboratory models will have to be modified to meet these increased demands.