Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit

The Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections (VSTI) section provides laboratory leadership in the detection, characterisation, prevention and control of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), herpesviruses (CMV, HSV, VZV), polyomaviruses (JC and emerging polyomaviruses) and chlamydia/ lymphogranuloma venereum through reference and diagnostic services. . This includes antiviral resistance testing for herpesviruses and molecular surveillance for chlamydia serovars causing lymphogranuloma venereum. The VSTI Section engages in both national and international surveillance and research aimed at monitoring disease incidence and distribution, detecting and characterizing drug-resistant variants, assessing shifts in molecular epidemiology, and advancing the development of novel screening and diagnostic methods.