Aims & Scope
Core Research Domains
Pathogen Biology & Molecular Mechanisms
- Viral pathogenesis (HIV, HPV, HSV, hepatitis B/C)
- Bacterial virulence factors (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis)
- Host-pathogen interactions and immune evasion strategies
- Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in STI pathogens
- Genomic epidemiology and strain evolution
- Molecular diagnostics and biomarker discovery
"Whole-genome sequencing reveals novel ceftriaxone resistance mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae clinical isolates from urban sexual health clinics"
Clinical Management & Therapeutics
- Randomized controlled trials of STI treatment regimens
- Comparative effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies
- Management of drug-resistant infections
- Treatment of co-infections and complications (PID, epididymitis)
- Point-of-care treatment strategies
- Adverse event monitoring and pharmacovigilance
"Single-dose gentamicin plus azithromycin versus ceftriaxone-based therapy for uncomplicated gonorrhea: a multicenter non-inferiority trial"
Epidemiology & Public Health Surveillance
- Incidence and prevalence studies in defined populations
- Transmission dynamics and network analysis
- Surveillance system evaluation and enhancement
- Geographic and temporal trend analysis
- Risk factor identification and stratification
- Health disparities in STI burden (age, sex, race, sexual orientation)
"Spatial clustering of syphilis cases among men who have sex with men in metropolitan areas: a 5-year surveillance analysis using molecular typing"
Prevention & Vaccine Development
- Vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy trials (HPV, hepatitis B)
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
- Behavioral intervention effectiveness
- Screening program evaluation and optimization
- Partner notification and contact tracing strategies
- Novel prophylactic technologies (microbicides, barrier methods)
"Cost-effectiveness of annual chlamydia screening in sexually active women aged 16-24: a decision-analytic model using real-world clinic data"
Secondary Focus Areas
Diagnostic Innovation
Novel diagnostic platforms (NAAT, POCT, multiplex assays), validation studies, diagnostic accuracy meta-analyses, and implementation science for new testing technologies.
Digital Health & AI Applications
Machine learning for risk prediction, AI-enhanced diagnostic algorithms, telemedicine for STI care, mobile health interventions, and electronic partner notification systems.
Behavioral & Social Determinants
Sexual behavior research with biological endpoints, stigma measurement and intervention, healthcare access barriers, and social network influences on STI transmission (must include clinical or epidemiological outcomes).
Special Populations
STI research in pregnant women, adolescents, older adults, immunocompromised individuals, incarcerated populations, and sex workers with focus on clinical outcomes and prevention.
Co-Infections & Complications
HIV-STI interactions, STI-related reproductive complications, syndemic approaches, and long-term sequelae (infertility, chronic pain, cancer risk).
Health Systems & Policy
Implementation research, health service delivery models, cost-effectiveness analyses, policy evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives with measurable clinical impact.
Emerging Research Areas
Note: Manuscripts in these emerging areas undergo additional editorial review to ensure sufficient maturity and relevance to STI research. Preliminary or speculative work may be redirected to specialized journals.
Microbiome Research
Vaginal/urethral microbiome composition in relation to STI susceptibility, treatment response, or recurrence (must demonstrate clear STI-specific outcomes).
Pharmacogenomics
Genetic determinants of treatment response or adverse events in STI therapy (requires validation cohorts and clinical relevance).
Novel Therapeutics
Early-phase trials of experimental drugs, immunotherapies, or biologics for STI treatment (Phase I/II with clear mechanistic rationale).
Environmental & Occupational Factors
Non-sexual transmission routes, occupational exposure risks, or environmental reservoirs (must be evidence-based, not hypothetical).
Explicitly Out of Scope
General Infectious Diseases
Research on non-sexually transmitted pathogens (respiratory infections, gastrointestinal diseases, vector-borne diseases) unless directly relevant to STI co-infection or differential diagnosis.
Basic Immunology Without STI Context
Fundamental immunology, vaccine development for non-STI pathogens, or immune system research lacking direct application to sexually transmitted infections.
Purely Social Science Studies
Qualitative research, attitude surveys, or behavioral studies without biological endpoints, clinical outcomes, or direct public health implications for STI prevention/control.
Non-Infectious Sexual Health Topics
Sexual dysfunction, contraception (unless STI-related), fertility treatments, or reproductive endocrinology without STI component. Refer to specialized reproductive health journals.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Expedited Processing (14-21 days to first decision)
Regular Processing (28-35 days to first decision)
Exceptional Circumstances Only
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- CONSORT for clinical trials
- STROBE for observational studies
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- STARD for diagnostic accuracy
- ARRIVE for animal research
Data Transparency
- Raw data deposition required
- Code availability for analyses
- Clinical trial registration
- Protocol sharing encouraged
- Reproducibility statements
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/Ethics approval mandatory
- Informed consent documentation
- Patient privacy protection
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- Funding source transparency
Preprint Policy
- Preprints accepted (medRxiv, bioRxiv)
- Must disclose in cover letter
- No impact on consideration
- Version control required
- Link to preprint in publication
Unsure If Your Research Fits?
Our editorial team is available to provide pre-submission guidance. Contact us with a brief abstract and we'll respond within 48 hours with scope assessment and recommendations.
[email protected]
