STI Basis — Sexual Health Screen

Comprehensive STI screening panel covering HIV, hepatitis B (HBsAg), hepatitis C (HCV antibodies), syphilis serology, and multiplex PCR for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and other urogenital pathogens. Suitable as a routine sexual health check or new-relationship screen.

The STI Basis panel covers the sexually transmitted infections recommended for routine screening by European and German guidelines. The combination of serological blood tests and PCR-based molecular diagnostics provides broad coverage across the most clinically significant pathogens. HIV screening uses a fourth-generation combination antigen/antibody test that detects both HIV-1/2 antibodies and p24 antigen. This reduces the diagnostic window to approximately 2-4 weeks after exposure, compared to 6-12 weeks for antibody-only tests. A reactive screening result is always confirmed with a supplementary test before diagnosis. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screens for active hepatitis B infection, whether acute or chronic. Chronic hepatitis B affects an estimated 0.3-0.7% of the German population and can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if untreated. Vaccination history does not produce a positive HBsAg result — only active infection does. HCV antibody testing screens for hepatitis C exposure. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine for HCV, making screening the primary prevention strategy. Current direct-acting antiviral therapies achieve cure rates above 95%, making detection of chronic HCV infection particularly rewarding clinically. Syphilis serology (typically a combined TPHA/VDRL or chemiluminescence assay) screens for Treponema pallidum infection. Syphilis rates have been rising across Europe since the early 2000s, and the infection is easily treated with penicillin when detected early. Untreated syphilis progresses through stages and can cause cardiovascular and neurological complications years after primary infection. The multiplex PCR component detects nucleic acids from chlamydia trachomatis, neisseria gonorrhoeae, and potentially other urogenital pathogens (mycoplasma genitalium, ureaplasma, trichomonas) from a urine sample or swab. PCR is the gold standard for these infections due to its superior sensitivity compared to culture or antigen-based methods. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI in Germany, with the majority of infections asymptomatic — undetected chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.