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Harney BL, Sacks-Davis R, Traeger M, van Santen DK, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, Fairley CK, Roth N, Bloch M, Matthews G, Donovan B, Guy R, Hellard ME, Doyle JS. Annual hepatitis C testing and positive tests among gay and bisexual men in Australia from 2016 to 2022: a serial cross-sectional analysis of sentinel surveillance data. Sex Transm Infect 2024:sextrans-2024-056175. [PMID: 38902028 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2024-056175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Guidelines recommend annual hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing for gay and bisexual men (GBM) with HIV and GBM prescribed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, there is a limited understanding of HCV testing among GBM. We aimed to examine trends in HCV testing and positivity from 2016 to 2022. METHODS Using sentinel surveillance data, we examined the proportion of GBM with at least one test and the proportion with a positive test in each year for HCV antibody testing among GBM with no previous HCV positive test, HCV RNA testing among GBM with a positive antibody test but no previous positive RNA test (naïve RNA testing), and HCV RNA testing among people who had a previous RNA positive test and a subsequent negative test (RNA follow-up testing). Trends were examined using logistic regression from 2016 to 2019 and 2020 to 2022. RESULTS Among GBM with HIV, from 2016 to 2019 antibody testing was stable averaging 55% tested annually. Declines were observed for both naïve HCV RNA testing (75.4%-41.4%: p<0.001) and follow-up HCV RNA testing (70.1%-44.5%: p<0.001). Test positivity declined for HCV antibody tests (2.0%-1.3%: p=0.001), HCV RNA naïve tests (75.4%-41.4%: p<0.001) and HCV RNA follow-up tests (11.3%-3.3%: p=0.001). There were minimal or no significant trends from 2020 to 2022.Among GBM prescribed PrEP, antibody testing declined from 2016 to 2019 (79.4%-69.4%: p<0.001) and was stable from 2020 to 2022. Naïve and follow-up HCV RNA testing was stable with an average of 55% and 60% tested each year, respectively. From 2016-2019, the proportion positive from HCV RNA naïve tests declined (44.1%-27.5%: p<0.046) with no significant change thereafter. Positive follow-up HCV RNA tests fluctuated with no or one new positive test among this group in most years. CONCLUSION The proportion of GBM with positive HCV tests has declined, however a substantial proportion are not tested annually. A renewed focus on HCV testing, and treatment where required, is warranted to achieve HCV elimination among GBM in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L Harney
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Traeger
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniela K van Santen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Cllinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Norm Roth
- Prahran Market Clinic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Bloch
- Holdsworth House Medical Clinic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gail Matthews
- The Kirby Institute, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Harney BL, Sacks-Davis R, Agius P, van Santen DK, Traeger MW, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, Fairley CK, Roth N, Bloch M, Matthews GV, Donovan B, Guy R, Stoové M, Hellard ME, Doyle JS. Risk of Primary Incident Hepatitis C Infection Following Bacterial Sexually Transmissible Infections Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia From 2016 to 2020. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae099. [PMID: 38560602 PMCID: PMC10977630 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In Australia, the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has declined among gay and bisexual men (GBM) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since 2015 and is low among GBM using HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, ongoing HCV testing and treatment remains necessary to sustain this. To assess the potential utility of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) to inform HCV testing among GBM with HIV and GBM using PrEP, we examined the association between bacterial STI diagnoses and subsequent primary HCV infection. Methods Data were from a national network of 46 clinics participating in the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance. GBM included had ≥1 HCV antibody negative test result and ≥1 subsequent HCV antibody and/or RNA test. Discrete time survival analysis was used to estimate the association between a positive syphilis, rectal chlamydia, and rectal gonorrhea diagnosis in the previous 2 years and a primary HCV diagnosis, defined as a positive HCV antibody or RNA test result. Results Among 6529 GBM with HIV, 92 (1.4%) had an incident HCV infection. A prior positive syphilis diagnosis was associated with an incident HCV diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.99 [95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.58]). Among 13 061 GBM prescribed PrEP, 48 (0.4%) had an incident HCV diagnosis. Prior rectal chlamydia (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.75 [95% confidence interval, 1.42-5.32]) and rectal gonorrhea (2.54 [1.28-5.05]) diagnoses were associated with incident HCV. Conclusions Diagnoses of bacterial STIs in the past 2 years was associated with HCV incidence. These findings suggest that STIs might be useful for informing HCV testing decisions and guidelines for GBM with HIV and GBM using PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L Harney
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Agius
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniela K van Santen
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael W Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason Asselin
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Alfred Health, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Norman Roth
- Prahran Market Clinic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Bloch
- Holdsworth House Medical Practice, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gail V Matthews
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
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3
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Hughes Y, Chen MY, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Williamson D, Ong JJ, De Petra V, Chow EPF. Universal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) testing of rectal chlamydia in men who have sex with men and detection of asymptomatic LGV. Sex Transm Infect 2022; 98:582-585. [PMID: 35217591 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1-L3. This study determined the positivity for LGV testing before and after introduction of universal LGV testing of positive rectal Chlamydia trachomatis samples in men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS From March 2015 to February 2018, MSM with rectal C. trachomatis were not routinely tested for LGV at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre unless they had HIV or symptoms of proctitis. From February 2018, universal testing for LGV of all positive rectal C. trachomatis specimens in men over the age of 25 years, regardless of symptoms was undertaken. LGV positivity was defined as the detection of LGV-associated C. trachomatis serovars. RESULTS There were 3429 and 4020 MSM who tested positive for rectal chlamydia in the selective and universal LGV-testing periods, respectively. Of the total 3027 assessable specimens in both periods, 97 (3.2%; 95% CI 2.6% to 3.9%) specimens tested positive for LGV. LGV positivity in the selective testing period was higher than in the universal testing period (6.6% (33/502) vs 2.5% (64/2525), p<0.001). The proportion of LGV cases that were asymptomatic increased from 15.2% (5/33) in the selective testing period to 34.4% (22/64) in the universal testing period (p=0.045). Of the 70 symptomatic LGV cases symptoms included rectal discharge (71.4%, n=45) and rectal pain (60.0%, n=42). CONCLUSION Universal LGV testing of all positive rectal chlamydia samples in MSM compared with selective testing led to the detection of asymptomatic rectal LGV, which constituted 34% of rectal LGV cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Hughes
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason J Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vesna De Petra
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
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4
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Harney BL, Sacks-Davis R, van Santen DK, Traeger M, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, El-Hayek C, Fairley CK, Roth N, Bloch M, Matthews G, Donovan B, Guy R, Stoové M, Hellard ME, Doyle JS. The Incidence of Hepatitis C Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in Australia, 2009-2019. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:1804-1811. [PMID: 34698338 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been reported among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) globally including GBM with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HIV-negative GBM, particularly those using HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In Australia, HCV direct-acting antiviral treatment (DAA) was government-funded from 2016. Large implementation studies of PrEP also began in 2016. We examined HCV incidence among GBM to assess whether HCV incidence has changed since 2015. METHODS Data were drawn from the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance. We included GBM who tested HCV antibody negative at their first test and had ≥1 subsequent test. Generalized linear modeling (Poisson distribution) was used to examine HCV incidence from 2009 to 2019 stratified by HIV status, and among HIV-negative GBM prescribed PrEP from 2016 to 2019. RESULTS Among 6744 GBM with HIV, HCV incidence was 1.03 per 100 person-years (PY). Incidence declined by 78% in 2019 compared to 2015 (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.22 [95% confidence interval {CI}: .09-.55]). Among 20 590 HIV-negative GBM, HCV incidence was 0.20/100 PY, with no significant change over time. Among 11 661 HIV-negative GBM prescribed PrEP, HCV incidence was 0.29/100 PY. Compared to 2016, incidence among GBM prescribed PrEP declined by 80% in 2019 (IRR, 0.20 [95% CI: .06-.64]). CONCLUSIONS HCV incidence among GBM living with HIV declined following DAA availability. There was no observed change in HCV incidence among HIV-negative GBM overall. Among GBM prescribed PrEP, incidence declined since the early years of PrEP implementation in Australia. Australia is on track to eliminate HCV among GBM before global 2030 targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L Harney
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniela K van Santen
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jason Asselin
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carol El-Hayek
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mark Bloch
- Holdsworth House Medical Practice, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gail Matthews
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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5
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van Santen DK, Asselin J, Haber NA, Traeger MW, Callander D, Donovan B, El-Hayek C, McMahon JH, Petoumenos K, McManus H, Hoy JF, Hellard M, Guy R, Stoové M. Improvements in transition times through the HIV cascade of care among gay and bisexual men with a new HIV diagnosis in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia (2012-19): a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet HIV 2021; 8:e623-e632. [PMID: 34508660 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00155-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies assessing the HIV care cascade have typically been cross-sectional analyses, which do not capture the transition time to subsequent stages. We aimed to assess the longitudinal HIV cascade of care in Australia, and changes over time in transition times and associated factors. METHODS In this longitudinal cohort study, we included linked data for gay and bisexual men (GBM) with a new HIV diagnosis who attended clinics participating in the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance in New South Wales and Victoria between Jan 1, 2012, and Dec 31, 2019. We assessed three cascade transition periods: diagnosis to linkage to care (stage 1 transition); linkage to care to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (stage 2 transition); and ART initiation to virological suppression (viral load ≤200 copies per mL; stage 3 transition). We also calculated the probability of remaining virologically suppressed after the first recorded viral load of less than 200 copies per mL. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate transition times and cumulative probability of stage transition. FINDINGS We included 2196 GBM newly diagnosed with HIV between 2012 and 2019 contributing 6747 person-years of follow-up in our analysis. Median time from HIV diagnosis to linkage to care (stage 1 transition) was 2 days (IQR 1-3). Median time from linkage to care to ART initiation (stage 2 transition) was 33 days (30-35). Median time from ART initiation to first recorded virological suppression (stage 3 transition) was 49 days (47-52). The cumulative probability of ART initiation within 90 days of linkage to care increased from 36·9% (95% CI 32·9-40·6) in the 2012-13 calendar period to 94·1% (91·2-96·0) in the 2018-19 calendar period and cumulative probability of virological suppression within 90 days of ART initiation increased from 54·3% (48·8-59·3) in the 2012-13 calendar period to 82·9% (78·4-86·4) in the 2018-19 calendar period. 91·6% (90·1-93·1) of GBM remained virologically supressed up to 2 years after their first recorded virological suppression event. INTERPRETATION In countries with high cross-sectional cascade estimates such as Australia, the impact of treatment as prevention is better estimated using longitudinal cascade analyses. FUNDING National Health and Medical Research Council Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela K van Santen
- Department of Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Disease, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jason Asselin
- Department of Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Noah A Haber
- Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael W Traeger
- Department of Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Denton Callander
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carol El-Hayek
- Department of Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - James H McMahon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathy Petoumenos
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamish McManus
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer F Hoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Department of Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Department of Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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6
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Ryan KE, Asselin J, Fairley CK, Armishaw J, Lal L, Nguyen L, Murphy D, Traeger M, Hellard M, Hoy J, Stoové M, Wright E. Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men After Rapid Scale-up of Preexposure Prophylaxis in Victoria, Australia. Sex Transm Dis 2020; 47:516-524. [PMID: 32658175 PMCID: PMC7357541 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Scale-up of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has raised concerns regarding its impact on clinic capacity and access to HIV testing. We describe enrolment in PrEPX, a large PrEP implementation study in Victoria, Australia, and the impact of PrEP uptake and maintenance on existing health services. METHODS We describe enrolment between July 26, 2016, and March 31, 2018, and trends in HIV testing among PrEPX participating and nonparticipating gay and bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) at 5 study clinics participating in a sentinel surveillance system (ACCESS). We evaluated HIV and STI testing trends using segmented linear regression across the prestudy (January 2015 to June 2016) and PrEPX study (July 2016 to March 2018) periods. FINDINGS There were 2,049 individuals who registered interest in study participation: 72% enrolled into the study. Study clinics enrolled participants rapidly; of 4265 people enrolled in PrEPX (98% GBM), 1000 enrolled by week 3, 88% (n = 876) of whom enrolled at ACCESS sites.Prestudy period HIV testing rates were increasing at all ACCESS sites. In the month PrEPX commenced, there was an additional 247 HIV tests among PrEPX participants (P < 0.01) and no significant change among non-PrEPX GBM (P = 0.72). Across the study period, HIV testing increased by 7.2 (P < 0.01) and 8.9 (P < 0.01) tests/month among PrEPX participants and non-PrEPX GBM, respectively. The HIV testing increased among non-PrEPX GBM at sexual health clinics (18.8 tests/month, P < 0.01) and primary care clinics (7.9 tests/month, P < 0.01). Similar trends were observed across testing for all measured STIs. CONCLUSIONS Rapid PrEP scale-up is possible without a reduction in HIV testing among GBM not using PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Judy Armishaw
- From the Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health and Monash University
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Hoy
- From the Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health and Monash University
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7
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Harney BL, Agius PA, El-Hayek C, Fairley CK, Chow EPF, Roth N, Tee BK, Leslie D, Tachedjian G, Hellard M, Stoové M. Risk of Subsequent HIV Infection Following Sexually Transmissible Infections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz376. [PMID: 31660341 PMCID: PMC6785675 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV and bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) notifications among men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased in Australia and many other countries. The relationship between HIV infection and other STIs has been demonstrated previously. However, the relationship between the cumulative history of STIs and subsequent HIV infection remains largely unexplored and limits our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the elevated HIV risk. Methods Data from HIV-negative MSM who attended high–HIV caseload primary care clinics in Melbourne, Australia, from 2007 to 2014 with 2 or more HIV and STI tests were included. Controlling for sexual behaviors self-reported at clinic visits, discrete time survival analyses using generalized linear modeling estimated the effect of an STI at the prior test event and the cumulative history of STIs (none, 1, 2, or more [repeated]) on risk of HIV infection. Results A total of 8941 MSM met the study criteria; 227 (2.5%) were diagnosed with HIV over the follow-up period. Adjusting for sexual behaviors, a cumulative history of repeated rectal gonorrhea infections (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 6.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.68–14.50) and a single rectal gonorrhea infection (aHR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.15–3.79) were associated with increased HIV infection risk. Conclusions Repeated and single rectal gonorrhea infections were independently associated with increased HIV infection risk. These findings suggest that MSM with any history of rectal gonorrhea, particularly repeat rectal gonorrhea, represent a group for whom preventive interventions for HIV should be emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L Harney
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul A Agius
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Carol El-Hayek
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - B K Tee
- Centre Clinic, Victorian AIDS Council, St Kilda, Australia
| | - David Leslie
- Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gilda Tachedjian
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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van Gemert C, Guy R, Stoove M, Dimech W, El-Hayek C, Asselin J, Moreira C, Nguyen L, Callander D, Boyle D, Donovan B, Hellard M. Pathology Laboratory Surveillance in the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood-Borne Viruses: Protocol for a Cohort Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e13625. [PMID: 33932276 PMCID: PMC6786847 DOI: 10.2196/13625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Passive surveillance is the principal method of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and blood-borne virus (BBV) surveillance in Australia whereby positive cases of select STIs and BBVs are notified to the state and territory health departments. A major limitation of passive surveillance is that it only collects information on positive cases and notifications are heavily dependent on testing patterns. Denominator testing data are important in the interpretation of notifications. Objective The aim of this study is to establish a national pathology laboratory surveillance system, part of a larger national sentinel surveillance system called ACCESS (the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance). ACCESS is designed to utilize denominator testing data to understand trends in case reporting and monitor the uptake and outcomes of testing for STIs and BBVs. Methods ACCESS involves a range of clinical sites and pathology laboratories, each with a separate method of recruitment, data extraction, and data processing. This paper includes pathology laboratory sites only. First established in 2007 for chlamydia only, ACCESS expanded in 2012 to capture all diagnostic and clinical monitoring tests for STIs and BBVs, initially from pathology laboratories in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, to at least one public and one private pathology laboratory in all Australian states and territories in 2016. The pathology laboratory sentinel surveillance system incorporates a longitudinal cohort design whereby all diagnostic and clinical monitoring tests for STIs and BBVs are collated from participating pathology laboratories in a line-listed format. An anonymous, unique identifier will be created to link patient data within and between participating pathology laboratory databases and to clinical services databases. Using electronically extracted, line-listed data, several indicators for each STI and BBV can be calculated, including the number of tests, unique number of individuals tested and retested, test yield, positivity, and incidence. Results To date, over 20 million STI and BBV laboratory test records have been extracted for analysis for surveillance monitoring nationally. Recruitment of laboratories is ongoing to ensure appropriate coverage for each state and territory; reporting of indicators will occur in 2019 with publication to follow. Conclusions The ACCESS pathology laboratory sentinel surveillance network is a unique surveillance system that collects data on diagnostic testing, management, and care for and of STIs and BBVs. It complements the ACCESS clinical network and enhances Australia’s capacity to respond to STIs and BBVs. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13625
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline van Gemert
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Denton Callander
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Douglas Boyle
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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9
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Callander D, Moreira C, El-Hayek C, Asselin J, van Gemert C, Watchirs Smith L, Nguyen L, Dimech W, Boyle DI, Donovan B, Stoové M, Hellard M, Guy R. Monitoring the Control of Sexually Transmissible Infections and Blood-Borne Viruses: Protocol for the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS). JMIR Res Protoc 2018; 7:e11028. [PMID: 30459142 PMCID: PMC6280029 DOI: 10.2196/11028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background New biomedical prevention interventions make the control or elimination of some blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) increasingly feasible. In response, the World Health Organization and governments around the world have established elimination targets and associated timelines. To monitor progress toward such targets, enhanced systems of data collection are required. This paper describes the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS). Objective This study aims to establish a national surveillance network designed to monitor public health outcomes and evaluate the impact of strategies aimed at controlling BBVs and STIs. Methods ACCESS is a sentinel surveillance system comprising health services (sexual health clinics, general practice clinics, drug and alcohol services, community-led testing services, and hospital outpatient clinics) and pathology laboratories in each of Australia’s 8 states and territories. Scoping was undertaken in each jurisdiction to identify sites that provide a significant volume of testing or management of BBVs or STIs or to see populations with particular risks for these infections (“priority populations”). Nationally, we identified 115 health services and 24 pathology laboratories as relevant to BBVs or STIs; purposive sampling was undertaken. As of March 2018, we had recruited 92.0% (104/113) of health services and 71% (17/24) of laboratories among those identified as relevant to ACCESS. ACCESS is based on the regular and automated extraction of deidentified patient data using specialized software called GRHANITE, which creates an anonymous unique identifier from patient details. This identifier allows anonymous linkage between and within participating sites, creating a national cohort to facilitate epidemiological monitoring and the evaluation of clinical and public health interventions. Results Between 2009 and 2017, 1,171,658 individual patients attended a health service participating in ACCESS network comprising 7,992,241 consultations. Regarding those with unique BBV and STI-related health needs, ACCESS captured data on 366,441 young heterosexuals, 96,985 gay and bisexual men, and 21,598 people living with HIV. Conclusions ACCESS is a unique system with the ability to track efforts to control STIs and BBVs—including through the calculation of powerful epidemiological indicators—by identifying response gaps and facilitating the evaluation of programs and interventions. By anonymously linking patients between and within services and over time, ACCESS has exciting potential as a research and evaluation platform. Establishing a national health surveillance system requires close partnerships across the research, government, community, health, and technology sectors. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/11028
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Affiliation(s)
- Denton Callander
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Carol El-Hayek
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Caroline van Gemert
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Wayne Dimech
- National Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Douglas Ir Boyle
- Research Information Technology Unit, Health and Biomedical Information Centre, Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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10
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Callander D, Bourne C, Wand H, Stoové M, Hocking JS, de Wit J, Kaldor JM, Donovan B, Pell C, Finlayson R, Baker D, Forssman B, Tee BK, Kefalas B, Duck T, Guy R. Assessing the Impacts of Integrated Decision Support Software on Sexual Orientation Recording, Comprehensive Sexual Health Testing, and Detection of Infections Among Gay and Bisexual Men Attending General Practice: Observational Study. JMIR Med Inform 2018; 6:e10808. [PMID: 30401672 PMCID: PMC6246964 DOI: 10.2196/10808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs), yet opportunities for sexual health testing of this population are often missed or incomplete in general practice settings. Strategies are needed for improving the uptake and completeness of sexual health testing in this setting. Objectives The goal of the research was to evaluate the impact of an intervention centered around integrated decision support software and routine data feedback on the collection of sexual orientation data and sexual health testing among gay and bisexual men attending general practice. Methods A study using before/after and intervention/comparison methods was undertaken to assess the intervention’s impact in 7 purposively sampled Australian general practice clinics located near the urban centers of Sydney and Melbourne. The software was introduced at staggered points between April and August 2012; it used patient records to prompt clinicians to record sexual orientation and accessed pathology testing history to generate prompts when sexual health testing was overdue or incomplete. The software also had a function for querying patient management system databases in order to generate de-identified data extracts, which were used to report regularly to participating clinicians. We calculated summary rate ratios (SRRs) based on quarterly trends and used Poisson regression analyses to assess differences between the 12-month preintervention and 24-month intervention periods as well as between the intervention sites and 4 similar comparison sites that did not receive the intervention. Results Among 32,276 male patients attending intervention clinics, sexual orientation recording increased 19% (from 3213/6909 [46.50%] to 5136/9110 [56.38%]) during the intervention period (SRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.11, P<.001) while comprehensive sexual health testing increased by 89% (305/1159 [26.32%] to 690/1413 [48.83%]; SRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.28-1.46, P<.001). Comprehensive testing increased slightly among the 7290 gay and bisexual men attending comparison sites, but the increase was comparatively greater in clinics that received the intervention (SRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.10-1.14, P<.001). In clinics that received the intervention, there was also an increase in detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea that was not observed in the comparison sites. Conclusions Integrated decision support software and data feedback were associated with modest increases in sexual orientation recording, comprehensive testing among gay and bisexual men, and the detection of STIs. Tests for and detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea were the most dramatically impacted. Decision support software can be used to enhance the delivery of sexual health care in general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denton Callander
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher Bourne
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sexually Tranmissible Infection Programs Unit, New South Wales Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Handan Wand
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John de Wit
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John M Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - B K Tee
- The Centre Clinic, Victorian AIDS Council, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bill Kefalas
- University of New South Wales Health Service, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Duck
- New South Wales Ministry of Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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