Microbiologic diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases: Part II. STD of viral origin

Sexually transmitted diseases are highly prevalent and a public health concern worldwide. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) are described. The development of rapid, sensible and specific diagnostic assays has been difficult because of their pathogenic features. In the last years, molecular biology based techniques allowed a better and wider range of diagnosis, as in the HPV-cancer association. In this article, standardized diagnostic methodologies for HSV and HPV are reviewed