urealyticumTreponema pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi.Neisseria gonorrhoeae
remains the most commonly studied organism. Studies on Treponema
pallidum (syphilis) prove difficult as the micro-organism
cannot be cultured in bacteriological growth media. Studies on
Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid) are no longer feasible as outbreaks
in South Africa no longer occur (personal communication Prof.
Lewis at the National Centre for Communicable Diseases). However,
in spite of the difficulties associated with culturing, there is a
need to investigate the use of medicinal plants for the treatment
of STI’s, even if studies are only restricted to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.