Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. Having access to screening and diagnostic testing is often the first line of defense. The impact of diagnostics and innovative testing can transform STIs into manageable conditions.

Chlamydia, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, historically accounts for the largest proportion of reported STIs in the United States. It often doesn't cause symptoms and is easily spread, so people may not know that they have it. Cases of chlamydia are highest among adolescents and young adults, which account for two-thirds of all reported cases.⁸ Roche has created a dual target test with internal control to provide confidence in test results.

Over the last decade, cases of gonorrhea have grown by more than 100%, which makes it the second most common reportable STI.⁸ Infection with Neisseria gonorrhea may often have no symptoms, especially in women. While easily treatable, the U.S. saw the first cases of gonorrhea in 2023 that showed resistance or reduced response to five classes of antibiotics for gonorrhea.⁹ Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary for reducing cases of gonorrhea. Roche’s commitment has created a dual-target test with internal control to provide confidence in test results.

Syphilis rates have surged in the past few years, hitting a 70-year high in 2021.¹⁰ The disease has been discovered at a much higher rate in newborns and, in some cases, resulted in stillbirths and infant deaths. Syphilis is easily treatable, especially when diagnosed in the earlier stages of infection.¹¹

Sexually acquired hepatitis infections remain a public health problem. An estimated 35% to 50% of acute HBV infection in the United States is attributed to sexual transmission, and even less for HCV.¹² The rate of co-infection for HCV and HIV is high.¹³

Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, which can seriously damage its function. Of all the five hepatitis strains, hepatitis B and hepatitis C can lead to chronic disease, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.

Recent efforts to combat these strains include new CDC screening updates for hepatitis B and a commitment from the U.S. government to eradicate viral hepatitis by 2030. The new CDC recommendations call for hepatitis B screening using laboratory tests at least once during an adult’s lifetime. Also, the CDC expanded from earlier risk-based recommendations to include those who are engaging in risky behaviors^.13

Updated CDC guidelines on human immunodeficiency virus and PrEP have elevated the need for reliable HIV testing. HIV transmission typically takes place through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, when a condom is not used and medication to prevent or manage HIV is not taken.¹⁴ The importance of HIV RNA screening, especially in detecting LEVI syndrome, a long-acting early viral inhibition, reinforces the importance of early detection.

Roche pioneered the dual target approach for HIV-1/2 viral monitoring and continuously works to ensure assays can stay ahead of their highly mutagenic targets. Roche products, supporting the molecular and immunoassay testing, such as Elecsys® HIV duo, can take labs through the full continuum of HIV testing as recommended by the CDC. Qualitative and quantitative HIV RNA assays enable laboratories and healthcare providers to identify the most critical HIV targets quickly and accurately, while eliminating manual intervention and minimizing errors.

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by human papillomavirus, and about 80% of men and women will have had an HPV infection by age 45. Regular screenings for HPV that can detect disease before progressing beyond the pre-cancer stage can lessen the chances of cervical cancer developing.¹⁵

Roche has been using advances in science to develop ways to more meaningfully answer clinician and patient questions earlier in the progression of cervical cancer, assisting them in making treatment decisions. Roche Diagnostics is committed to eliminating cervical cancer and improving patient outcomes through earlier diagnosis which can lead to earlier treatment.