Women's Health Testing

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Patients Choice Laboratories offers comprehensive Women's Health testing services. Our Real-Time PCR testing allows for improved specificity for pathogens that cause bacterial and viral infections in women and enhanced antibiotic resistance panels. Our testing provides accurate, reliable, and on time results leading to effective screening and management for cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections (STI), and vaginitis; including bacterial vaginosis, and vaginal candidiasis infections.

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Vaginitis has become one of the most common clinical conditions for women to seek gynecologic care. Symptoms such as burning, itching, odor, and discharge may indicate the presence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast caused, candidiasis. A wide variety of pathogens can cause vaginitis, leading to difficulty in definitive diagnosis and treatment. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, leading to depletion of the normally protective lactobacilli. BV is associated with an increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and pregnancy complications.

STI Testing

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PCL offers sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for both men and women with the immediate goal of screening and treatment. STIs are a major public health problem in both resource-rich and limited settings and are frequently asymptomatic that can lead to various complications and transmission.

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Our Testing Technology

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Most of the bacteria associated with vaginitis are either difficult to culture or have not previously been cultured. Therefore, molecular diagnostic tests are highly desirable to detect these pathogens. PCL uses Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA) assay and Real-Time PCR to identify and quantify varieties of bacteria, yeast, and parasites that may be the cause of vaginitis. This methodology is more sensitive than conventional culture in detecting pathogens.

To make it more convenient and easier for patients, we have validated these tests from liquid cytology, ThinPrep, eSwab and urine.