Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (now called sexually transmitted infections, STIs) affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide each year. They are on the increase in the developing world. Non HIV/AIDS STIs can predispose to acquiring HIV which is fatal in most cases in the developing world. STIs cause considerable morbidity and affect the reproductive capacity of child-bearing women.

QIMR has programmes of research into mucosal vaccination against HIV and the prevalence, mechanisms of resistance and improved treatment regimes of drug-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis, an STI which causes vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased mortality.

T.vaginalis and herpes simplex 2 infections are associated with a very high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Collaborative work with Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility has also been initiated.