Challenge to Reduce Sexually Transmitted Disease Infections Spurs Growth in IVD Sector

Nearly one out of every five dollars earned in infectious disease testing is from a test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or women’s health test, according to a new healthcare market research report.

In its new analysis, “The World Market for Infectious Disease Testing,” Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA) reported that responding to resilient and rebounding rates of STIs and the increasing specialization in medicine to optimally treat female patients and conditions, many in the IVD industry have prioritized assay menus in those areas across platforms, foremost in molecular diagnostics. Still, a diverse range of IVD products are used to for screening and assessment, including cultures, laboratory immunoassays, rapid immunoassays, molecular assays, and high-throughput blood screening assays.

“With consistent national reporting in the United States, it has become apparent that STIs have rebounded from reported historical lows and been resilient to eradication goals,” said Emil Salazar, Kalorama IVD analyst.

Within IVD, infectious disease tests for STIs and women’s health typically do not include diagnostics for HIV or viral hepatitis, which independently represent multi-billion-dollar markets. The most significant pathogens in STI and women’s health testing include Chlamydia (CT), gonorrhea (NG), syphilis, ToRCH panel pathogens, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The infections are highly impactful to community health, maternal health, and prenatal and neonatal health.

Chlamydia has been on the rise since reporting began in the US. Gonorrhea declined nearly 75% between 1975–1997, but thereafter remained roughly constant through 2009 before rising slightly every year through 2012. Syphilis , after declining nearly 90% between 1990-2000, reached its lowest rate in the US since reporting began in 1941. The dramatic decline of syphilis and the regional concentration of the disease lead the Surgeon General to release a national eradication plan in 1999, updated in 2006. However, syphilis rate subsequently increased each year from 2001 to 2009 and jumped another 22% between 2011–2013.

In some cases, the observed increases in STIs may be a result of improved screening and reporting efforts rather than an actual groundswell in infections. Among sexually active US women aged 16–24 years with commercial insurance plans, Chlamydia screening nearly doubled between 2001-2012 to 45%. Increased Chlamydia screening has also impacted gonorrhea reporting as multiplex CT/NG testing is highly common.

“While truly rising STI incidence in the US is debatable, the above trends are nonetheless positive for the IVD industry since STI screening is becoming more commonplace in healthcare given an ongoing emphasis upon preventative care and improving national insurance coverage,” said Salazar.

Related Links:
Kalorama Information 
World Market for Infectious Disease Testing, report