Evaluating the utility of the Allplex STI Essential Assay to determine the occurrence of urogenital sexually transmitted infections among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Cape Town, South Africa.

STIs comprise a variety of organisms in our setting, with many patients exhibiting coinfection with multiple organisms. This suggests the need for a critical evaluation of current syndromic testing and treatment guidelines so as to stem inadvertent spread of STI organisms and the development of resistance. The use of molecular testing methods may improve detection, especially in resource limited settings, providing speedy results, and thus allowing for guided therapy in only infected patients.