New Rapid STI Testing Device Developed

Australian researchers from the Doherty Institute in Melbourne have developed what is described as the world's first rapid test capable of detecting all major sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using a single device.

This innovation aims to address rising STI rates and improve diagnostic efficiency.

Device Capabilities and Technology

The testing device is approximately the size of a small laptop. It uses distinct genetic "barcodes" to identify pathogens directly, differentiating it from existing rapid tests that detect antigens or antibodies.

The device can analyze urine, saliva, or nasal samples to test for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and herpes simultaneously. Results are delivered within 50 minutes, significantly faster than traditional STI swab tests, which typically take several days.

Clinical Impact and Accuracy

The device's rapid turnaround time is intended to reduce "loss of follow-up," a common issue where patients do not return for results or treatment.

In laboratory trials, the device demonstrated an accuracy of over 80 percent for syphilis and over 90 percent for herpes. Its sensitivity for gonorrhoea was 80 percent.

A notable feature is its ability to identify strains of gonorrhoea resistant to typical antibiotics, allowing for immediate tailored treatment. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Microbe.

Addressing Public Health Concerns

The development comes amid a significant increase in STI rates. In Victoria, STI rates rose by 234 percent between 2005 and 2025. Gonorrhoea infections are also showing increasing resistance to available antibiotics.

Congenital syphilis, which re-emerged in Victoria in 2017 after a 25-year absence, has seen a rise globally and locally, with 1450 cases reported in Victoria last year compared to 637 in 2014. The surge in syphilis infections has been linked to 10 infant deaths in Victoria. This prompted an overhaul of screening for pregnant women and Australia's chief health officer declaring syphilis a communicable disease of national significance.

Future Implementation

The device's ability to use urine or swab samples, as opposed to the intravenous blood samples typically used for syphilis testing in Australia, is expected to improve access to testing, particularly in remote communities.

The next phase involves trialing the device at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and Clinic 34 in Darwin later this year. Clinicians anticipate the device will be crucial in differentiating genital ulcers caused by syphilis from those caused by herpes, a common diagnostic challenge.