After publication of this article [1], it was reported that the term 'Treponema palladium' should have read 'Treponema pallidum' .The original article [1] has been updated.

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major infectious diseases worldwide. Around one million people get STIs every day and among them a high burden of the diseases seen in Sub-Saharan African countries. In most developing countries, including Ethiopia, STIs are diagnosed only using syndromic methods, although there seems to be no consensus between syndromic and laboratory-based research. Objective To compare the effectiveness of a syndromic versus laboratory-based approach in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, especially Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Treponema palladium (TP), infections among those attending a public health center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods a cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2020, at selected health centers STIs clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 325 study participants were involved. From each participant after having socio-demographic data, additional blood, urethral and vaginal discharge was collected. Then serological, Gram stain, culture, and biochemical tests were performed. SPSS version 23 was used to enter and analyze data. All relevant bodies provided ethical approval, and each study participant gave written informed consent. Results Among the total participants 167 (51.4%) were males; 177 (54.5%) between ages of 26 and 35; and 178(54.8%) single. Of the total 325 NG, and 125 TP syndromic managed suspected cases, only 163 (50%) and 38 (30.4%) were laboratory- confirmed positive cases respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference between NG and TP syndromic versus laboratory diagnostic confirmed cases (P-value > 0.005). Conclusion The present study indicated that even if, there were no statistical differences between syndromic versus Laboratory diagnosis confirmed NG and TP cases, more than half of syndromic cases could not be confirmed by laboratory diagnosed tests. Thus, to strengthen the present findings, further large-scale studies are recommended.

Background: Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) is gram negative diplococcic bacteria that cause most important sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. In most developing countries including Ethiopia, NG infections are diagnosed syndromically, and its antibiotic susceptibility is rarely tested. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of N. gonorrhoeae among syndrome diagnosed and treated cases attending selected public health centers, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2020, at selected health centers STIs clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Urethral discharge or vaginal discharge specimens were cultured on Modified Thayer Martín media and suspected gonococcal colonies were confirmed using Oxidase, Superoxol tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) using concentration gradient strips (E-test) of the same antimicrobial agents of ciprofloxacin, penicillin, Ceftriaxone, Azytromicin, Cefoxitin, and SpectinomicinResults: Among the total 325 NG suspects 163 (50 %) were culture positive. Among the culture positive cases 126 were male and 37 females. Around 4% of isolates are non-susceptible to Ceftriaxone which is the current antimicrobial agent used for urethral discharge/ vaginal discharge syndrome treatment.Conclusion: In the current study, the proportion of N. gonorrhoeae culture positivity rate among male was found to be high. The antimicrobial agent ceftriaxone used for the treatment of gonococccal isolates found to become non susceptible. Antimicrobial agents outside of ciprofloxacin and natural penicillin antimicrobial agents are eligible for the national STI syndromic management.