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Freese J, Segura ER, Gutierrez J, Lake JE, Cabello R, Clark JL, Blair C. Sexual network characteristics and partnership types among men who have sex with men diagnosed with syphilis, gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia in Lima, Peru. Sex Transm Infect 2024; 100:84-90. [PMID: 38124224 PMCID: PMC10922481 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-055910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sexual networks are known to structure sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM). We sought to estimate the risks of STI diagnosis for various partnership types within these networks. METHODS Our cross-sectional survey analysed data from 1376 MSM screened for a partner management intervention in Lima, Peru. Participants were tested for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea (NG) and chlamydia (CT) and completed surveys on their demographics, sexual identity/role, HIV status, partnership types and sexual network from the prior 90 days. χ2 and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests compared participants without an STI to those diagnosed with (1) syphilis, (2) NG and/or CT (NG/CT) and (3) syphilis and NG/CT coinfection (coinfection). RESULTS 40.8% (n=561/1376) of participants were diagnosed with an STI (syphilis: 14.9%, NG/CT: 16.4%, coinfection: 9.5%). 47.9% of all participants were living with HIV and 8.9% were newly diagnosed. A greater proportion of participants with syphilis and coinfection were living with HIV (73.5%, p<0.001; 71.0%, p<0.001) compared with those with NG/CT (47.8%) or no STI (37.8%). Participants with syphilis more often reported sex-on-premises venues (SOPVs) as the location of their last sexual encounter (51.7%, p=0.038) while those with NG/CT tended to meet their last sexual partner online (72.8%, p=0.031). Respondents with coinfection were the only STI group more likely to report transactional sex than participants without an STI (31.3%, p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS Sexual networks and partnership types of Peruvian MSM are associated with differential risks for STIs. Participants diagnosed with syphilis tended to meet single-encounter casual partners at SOPV, while MSM with NG/CT were younger and often contacted casual partners online. Coinfection had higher frequency of transactional sex. These findings suggest the potential importance of public health interventions through combined syphilis/HIV screening at SOPV, syphilis screening at routine clinic appointments for MSM living with HIV and directed advertisements and/or access to NG/CT testing through online platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Freese
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, South American Program in HIV Prevention Research, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eddy R Segura
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | | | - Jesse L Clark
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cherie Blair
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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2
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Bardach A, Alconada T, Palermo C, Rojas-Roque C, Sandoval MM, Gomez J, Pinto T, Ciapponi A. Burden of Disease of Gonorrhoea in Latin America: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Infect Dis Ther 2023:10.1007/s40121-023-00814-0. [PMID: 37261611 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00814-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhoea, a globally neglected but increasing disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis reviewed the epidemiology and economic burden of gonorrhoea in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, EconLIT, CINAHL, CRD, LILACS, Global Health, Global Dissertations and Theses, SciELO, Web of Science databases, countries' ministries of health, and the IHME's Global Burden of Disease databases. Studies published in the last 10 years (20 years for economic studies) were included if conducted in any LAC country, without language restrictions. The main outcome measures were incidence/prevalence, proportion of co-infections, case fatality rates, specific mortality/hospitalisation rates, direct/indirect costs, and impact of gonorrhoea on quality of life. To assess evidence quality, we used a checklist developed by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for observational studies and trial control arms, the Cochrane Effective Practice Organization of Care Group tool for randomised controlled trials, and the CICERO checklist for economic studies. RESULTS We identified 1290 articles; 115 included epidemiological studies and one included an economic study. Ministry of health data from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay were identified. Gonorrhoea prevalence was 1.46% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-2.00%) from 48 studies and 5.68% (95% CI 4.23-7.32%) from 58 studies for non-high-risk and high-risk populations, respectively. Cumulative incidence for the high-risk population was 2.05 cases per 100 persons/year. Few published studies were rated as "good" in the risk of bias assessments. Variations in the methodology of the sources and limited information found in the countries' surveillance systems hinder the comparison of data. CONCLUSION The burden of gonorrhoea in LAC is not negligible. Our results provide public health and clinical decision support to assess potential interventions to prevent gonorrhoea. TRIAL REGISTRATION The protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021253342). The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK study identifier VEO-000025).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Bardach
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Dr Emilio Ravignani 2024, C1014CPV, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomás Alconada
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Dr Emilio Ravignani 2024, C1014CPV, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Palermo
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Dr Emilio Ravignani 2024, C1014CPV, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Rojas-Roque
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Dr Emilio Ravignani 2024, C1014CPV, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Macarena Sandoval
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Dr Emilio Ravignani 2024, C1014CPV, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Agustin Ciapponi
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Dr Emilio Ravignani 2024, C1014CPV, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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3
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Dukers-Muijrers NHTM, Evers YJ, Hoebe CJPA, Wolffs PFG, de Vries HJC, Hoenderboom B, van der Sande MAB, Heijne J, Klausner JD, Hocking JS, van Bergen J. Controversies and evidence on Chlamydia testing and treatment in asymptomatic women and men who have sex with men: a narrative review. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:255. [PMID: 35287617 PMCID: PMC8922931 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07171-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. CT is mainly asymptomatic. Test-and-treat strategies are widely implemented to prevent transmission and complications. Strategies are not without controversy in asymptomatic women and men who have sex with men (MSM). Concerns are emerging to test and treat asymptomatic persons for urogenital CT (‘Controversy 1’) and pharyngeal or rectal CT (‘Controversy 2’), whereby testing symptomatic persons is not under debate. Opposed views in CT treatment involve using azithromycin versus doxycycline (‘Controversy 3’). The objective of this review is to provide coverage of these public health and clinical controversies by reviewing the current scientific evidence. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed for relevant publications between 2018 and September 2021, and iterative retrieval of additional relevant publications. Results Controversy 1. In women, the majority of asymptomatic CT are at the urogenital site, and detections mostly include viable CT. CT easily transmits to a partner and potentially also between the vaginal and rectal areas; the clinical impact of urogenital CT is established, although risks for adverse outcomes are uncertain. Wide-scale testing in asymptomatic women has not resulted in reduced prevalence. In MSM, evidence for the clinical impact of asymptomatic urogenital CT is lacking. Controversy 2. Rectal CT is common in women diagnosed with urogenital CT, but the clinical impact of asymptomatic rectal CT is uncertain. In MSM, rectal CT is common, and most CT infections are at the rectal site, yet the risk of longer term complications is unknown. In both sexes, pharyngeal CT is uncommon and has no documented clinical impact. Controversy 3. In the treatment of rectal CT, doxycycline has superior effectiveness to azithromycin. Evidence has also accumulated on the harms of test-and-treat strategies. Conclusions Current practices vary widely, from widescale test-and-treat approaches to more individual patient- and partner-level case management. Choosing which asymptomatic people to test at what anatomic site, and whether to test or not, requires an urgent (re-)definition of the goals of testing and treating asymptomatic persons. Treatment guidelines are shifting toward universal doxycycline use, and clinical practice now faces the challenge of implementation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07171-2. Test-and-treat is a key strategy in the control of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). We discuss recent controversies and present scientific evidence regarding urogenital, rectal, and pharyngeal CT test-and-treat strategies in women and in men who have sex with men (MSM). This should inform best practices for the prevention and management of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, PO Box 33, 6400 AA, Heerlen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ymke J Evers
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, PO Box 33, 6400 AA, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Christian J P A Hoebe
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, PO Box 33, 6400 AA, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Petra F G Wolffs
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Henry J C de Vries
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute (AII), Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernice Hoenderboom
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Institute for Public Health Genomics, Genetics & Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Faculty of Health and Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne A B van der Sande
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Global Health, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Heijne
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan van Bergen
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,STI AIDS Netherlands, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Bristow CC, Espinosa da Silva C, Vera AH, Gonzalez-Fagoaga JE, Rangel G, Pines HA. Prevalence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and coinfection with HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Tijuana, Mexico. Int J STD AIDS 2021; 32:751-757. [PMID: 33530892 PMCID: PMC8154699 DOI: 10.1177/0956462420987757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We estimated the prevalence of syphilis and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections, as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection among cisgender men who have sex with cisgender men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Tijuana, Mexico. MSM and TW (N = 212) recruited via respondent-driven and venue-based sampling for HIV testing underwent sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and completed interviewer-administered surveys in this study (2017-2018). Treponemal rapid tests were used at the point-of-care with positives undergoing confirmatory testing following the reverse syphilis-testing algorithm. Nucleic acid amplification testing of urine and swabs (rectal and pharyngeal) was used to detect CT/NG at three anatomic sites. Chi-squared tests were used to compare STI prevalence by HIV status. Sexually transmitted infection prevalence was 39.6% overall but higher for newly diagnosed HIV-positive (55.7%; N = 88) than HIV-negative (28.2%; N = 124) participants (p-value < 0.0001). Among newly diagnosed HIV-positive participants, the prevalence of syphilis was 35.2% (31/88), CT infection was 27.3% (24/88; nine urethral; 16 rectal; four pharyngeal), and NG infection was 26.1% (23/88; six urethral; 19 rectal; nine pharyngeal). Among HIV-negative participants, the prevalence of syphilis was 12.1% (15/124), CT infection was 13.7% (17/124; seven urethral; nine rectal; two pharyngeal), and NG infection was 9.7% (12/124; three urethral; seven rectal; seven pharyngeal). Over 60% of all CT (25/41) and NG (26/35) infections in the full sample occurred extragenitally in the absence of urethral infections, and over 80% of rectal (30/37) and pharyngeal (16/18) infections were asymptomatic. The high prevalence of syphilis, CT, and NG infections among MSM and TW in Tijuana suggests STI screening that includes extragenital tests, particularly at HIV diagnosis, may help curb HIV/STI transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C. Bristow
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Cristina Espinosa da Silva
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Alicia Harvey Vera
- Department of Medicine, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jesus Eduardo Gonzalez-Fagoaga
- Department of Medicine, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
- US-Mexico Border Health Commission, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Gudelia Rangel
- US-Mexico Border Health Commission, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
- Department of Population Studies, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Heather A. Pines
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
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5
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Oropharyngeal gonorrhoea infections among heterosexual women and heterosexual men with urogenital gonorrhoea attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 27:1799-1804. [PMID: 33845205 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is limited evidence about the transmission and prevalence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea in heterosexuals. From August 2017, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) began testing for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea among heterosexuals with untreated urogenital gonorrhoea. This study aims to determine the positivity of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea among heterosexuals diagnosed with urogenital gonorrhoea at MSHC between August 2017 and May 2020. METHODS We included individuals who had oropharyngeal gonorrhoea testing within 30 days of initial testing. We reported the number and proportion of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea positivity, stratified by gender and contact of gonorrhoea. The χ2 test was performed to compare the oropharyngeal gonorrhoea positivity between groups. RESULTS Of 617 individuals with untreated urogenital gonorrhoea, 424 (68.7%) were tested for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. Oropharyngeal gonorrhoea positivity was 38.9% (95%CI 34.2-43.7%, 165/424), and was higher in women than in men (115/252, 45.6% versus 50/172, 29.1%, p = 0.001). Furthermore, oropharyngeal gonorrhoea positivity was higher among individuals who were contacts of gonorrhoea cases compared to those who were not (29/44, 65.9% versus 136/380, 35.8%, p < 0.001). There was also no significant difference between women who were sex workers and those who were not (30/78, 38.5% versus 85/174, 48.9%, p = 0.126). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that oropharyngeal gonorrhoea infection is common among heterosexual women and heterosexual men with untreated urogenital gonorrhoea. Testing heterosexual women and heterosexual men for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea will identify a significant proportion with unrecognized oropharyngeal infections whose recommended treatment is different in some countries.
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6
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Tabesh M, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Williamson DA, Zhang L, Xu X, Bradshaw CS, Chen MY, Chow EP. Comparison of the patterns of chlamydia and gonorrhoea at the oropharynx, anorectum and urethra among men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect 2021; 98:11-16. [PMID: 33436503 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are common sexually transmitted infections that infect the oropharynx, anorectum and urethra in men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to examine the pattern of infection at more than one site (multisite) for chlamydia and gonorrhoea among MSM. METHODS This was a retrospective study of MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre for the first time between 2018 and 2019. We included MSM aged ≥16 years who had tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis at all three sites (oropharynx, anorectum and urethra). We compared infections that occurred at a single site (termed single-site infection) and those that occurred at more than one site (termed multisite infections). RESULTS Of the 3938 men who were tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, 498/3938 men (12.6%, 95% CI 11.5% to 13.6%) had chlamydia at any site, of whom 400/498 (80.3%, 95% CI 78.9% to 81.2%) had single-site chlamydia infection, and 98/498 (19.7%, 95% CI 16.2% to 23.1%) had multisite infections. A similar proportion of men had gonorrhoea at any site (447/3938, 11.4%, 95% CI 10.3% to 12.2%), but among these 447 men, single-site infection was less common (256/447, 57.3%, 95% CI 52.6% to 61.7%, p<0.001) and multisite infection (191/447, 42.7%, 95% CI 38.2% to 47.3%, p<0.001) was more common than chlamydia. There were also marked differences by anatomical site. Urethral infection commonly occurred as single sites (75/122, 61.5%, 95% CI 52.8% to 70.1%) for chlamydia but uncommonly occurred for gonorrhoea (12/100, 12.0%, 95% CI 5.6% to 18.3%, p<0.001). In contrast, anorectal infection uncommonly occurred as multisite infection for chlamydia (98/394, 24.9%, 95% CI 20.6% to 29.1%) but was common (184/309, 59.5%, 95% CI 54.0% to 64.9%, p<0.001) for gonorrhoea. CONCLUSIONS The markedly different pattern of site-specific infection for chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections among the same MSM suggests significant differences in the transmissibility between anatomical sites and the duration of each infection at each site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Tabesh
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xianglong Xu
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,China Australia Joint Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shanxi, China
| | - Catriona S Bradshaw
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric Pf Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia .,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Role of saliva use during masturbation in the transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis in men who have sex with men. Epidemiol Infect 2021. [PMCID: PMC8506448 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268821001941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Masturbation is a common sexual practice in men, and saliva is often used as a lubricant during masturbation by men who have sex with men. However, the role of saliva use during masturbation in the transmission of chlamydia is still unclear. We developed population-level, susceptible-infected-susceptible compartmental models to explore the role of saliva use during masturbation on the transmission of chlamydia at multiple anatomical sites. In this study, we simulated both solo masturbation and mutual masturbation. Our baseline model did not include masturbation but included transmission routes (anal sex, oral-penile sex, rimming, kissing and sequential sexual practices) we have previously validated (model 1). We added masturbation to model 1 to develop the second model (model 2). We calibrated the model to five clinical datasets separately to assess the effects of masturbation on the prevalence of site-specific infection. The inclusion of masturbation (model 2) significantly worsened the ability of the models to replicate the prevalence of C. trachomatis. Using model 2 and the five data sets, we estimated that saliva use during masturbation was responsible for between 3.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–6.8] and 6.2% (95% CI 3.8–10.5) of incident chlamydia cases at all sites. Our models suggest that saliva use during masturbation is unlikely to play a major role in chlamydia transmission between men, and even if it does have a role, about one in seven cases of urethral chlamydia might arise from masturbation.
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8
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Man OM, Ramos WE, Vavala G, Goldbeck C, Ocasio MA, Fournier J, Romero-Espinoza A, Fernandez MI, Swendeman D, Lee SJ, Comulada S, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Klausner JD. Optimizing screening for anorectal, pharyngeal, and urogenital C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infections in at risk adolescents and young adults in New Orleans, Louisiana and Los Angeles, California, USA. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e3201-e3209. [PMID: 33300564 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public health organizations have inconsistent recommendations for screening adolescents and young adults for Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) infections. Guidelines suggest different combinations of anorectal, pharyngeal, and urogenital testing based on age, sex, and sexual activity. Further evaluation of how identity and behaviors impact the anatomic distribution of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infection is needed to optimize future screening practices. METHODS We assessed the positivity of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infections at different anatomic sites in a cohort of at-risk sexually active adolescents and young adults between 12-24 years old in New Orleans, Louisiana and Los Angeles, California. Participants were tested for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae at three sites (anorectum, pharynx, and urethral/cervix) every four months using self-collected swabs. We stratified anatomic distributions of infection into four gender and sexual behavior categories: (i) cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women (MSMTW), (ii) cis-heterosexual males, (iii) cis-heterosexual females, and (iv) gender minorities assigned female at birth. RESULTS While three-site testing detected all infections, two-site (anorectum and urethra/cervix) testing identified 92-100% of C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae infections in participants assigned female at birth and cis-heterosexual males. For MSMTW, two site anorectal and pharyngeal testing versus single site anorectal testing increased the proportion of individuals with either infection from 74 to 93%. CONCLUSION Sexual behavioral and gender identity factors may influence detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infections at specific anatomic testing sites. Testing guidelines should incorporate sexual behavior and gender identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M Man
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Wilson E Ramos
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gabriella Vavala
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cameron Goldbeck
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manuel A Ocasio
- Department of Pediatrics/ Section of Adolescent Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jasmine Fournier
- Department of Pediatrics/ Section of Adolescent Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Adriana Romero-Espinoza
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Dallas Swendeman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sung-Jae Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Scott Comulada
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Passaro RC, Castañeda-Huaripata A, Gonzales-Saavedra W, Chavez-Gomez S, Segura ER, Lake JE, Cabello R, Clark JL. Contextualizing condoms: a cross-sectional study mapping intersections of locations of sexual contact, partner type, and substance use as contexts for sexual risk behavior among MSM in Peru. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:958. [PMID: 31711433 PMCID: PMC6849170 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4517-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) appears to be increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM) globally, and is reported to be as high as 70% in recent studies in Peru. To improve understanding of the evolving context of CAI among MSM in Peru, we studied associations between partner type, substance use, and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in locations where MSM commonly report having sexual encounters. Methods In a 2017 cross-sectional study of rectal STI screening and HIV prevention, a convenience sample of MSM recruited from community venues in Lima completed a survey of demographic characteristics and sexual risk behavior with their three most recent partners. Generalized estimating equations estimated correlations of CAI with location of last sexual contact, participant substance use prior to sex, and negotiation of condom use before or during sex. The network data integration application, Cytoscape, mapped intersections of partner type, sexual orientation, substance use, and CAI by four types of locations where sex occurred: 1) Home, 2) Hotel, 3) Sauna or Internet Cabin, and 4) Public Spaces. Results Of 447 MSM (median age 27 years), 76.9% reported CAI with ≥1 of their last three partners. Participants reported sex with casual partners most commonly in homes (64.6%) and hotels (60.4%), and with anonymous partners most often in saunas/Internet cabins (57.5%) and public spaces (52.6%). CAI was less commonly reported in hotels (aPR, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.75–0.97) compared to homes. Participants who used marijuana before sex at home were more likely to report CAI than MSM who did not use marijuana (1.36, 1.01–1.92). Partner alcohol use before sex was associated with CAI in saunas/Internet cabins (3.17, 1.45–6.91) and public spaces (2.65, 1.41–4.98). In the sexual network maps, almost all MSM who used drugs prior to their sexual encounters used drugs with more than one of their last three partners. Conclusions CAI was common and associated with different risk factors, like partner type and substance use, based on location where sex occurred. Novel combination HIV, STI, and substance use prevention interventions must consider how the social environments of MSM influence condom use and other sexual risk behaviors. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03010020, January 4, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Colby Passaro
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,South American Program in HIV Prevention Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Eddy R Segura
- South American Program in HIV Prevention Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | - Jordan E Lake
- South American Program in HIV Prevention Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jesse L Clark
- South American Program in HIV Prevention Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Chow EPF, Fairley CK. The role of saliva in gonorrhoea and chlamydia transmission to extragenital sites among men who have sex with men: new insights into transmission. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 6:e25354. [PMID: 31468730 PMCID: PMC6715946 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases have been rising among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) over the last decade. The majority of cases are extragenital and occur at the oropharynx and anorectum. The aim of this narrative review was to review the risk factors and mode of transmission for gonorrhoea and chlamydia at the oropharynx and anorectum among MSM. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION New evidence suggests that oropharyngeal gonorrhoea can be transmitted by kissing in addition to through the established route of condomless oral sex; and anorectal gonorrhoea can be acquired when saliva is used as a lubricant for anal sex and rimming in addition to the established route of condomless penile-anal sex in MSM. In contrast, condomless penile-anal sex remains the major route for chlamydia transmission. CONCLUSIONS Substantial transmission of gonorrhoea may occur with practices other than the established routes of condomless oral and/or anal sex and hence condoms may not be effective in preventing gonorrhoea transmission to extragenital sites. In contrast, condoms are effective for chlamydia control because it is mainly transmitted through condomless penile-anal sex. Novel interventions for gonorrhoea that reduce the risk of transmission at extragenital site are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric PF Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health CentreAlfred HealthCarltonVICAustralia
- Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health CentreAlfred HealthCarltonVICAustralia
- Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
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11
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Blair C, Passaro RC, Segura ER, Lake JE, Perez-Brumer AG, Sanchez J, Lama JR, Clark JL. Sexual network characteristics of men who have sex with men with syphilis and/or gonorrhoea/chlamydia in Lima, Peru: network patterns as roadmaps for STI prevention interventions. Sex Transm Infect 2019; 95:336-341. [PMID: 31010954 PMCID: PMC6642006 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by Peru's overlapping HIV and STI epidemics, there are few data on how partnership-level and network-level factors affect STI transmission in Peru. We explored partnership-level and network-level factors associated with gonorrhoea/chlamydia (Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis (NG/CT)) and/or syphilis infection among MSM in Peru. METHODS We present the results of a cross-sectional secondary analysis of MSM (n=898) tested for syphilis and NG/CT infection as part of the screening process for two STI control trials in Lima, Peru. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, sexual identity and role, characteristics of their three most recent sexual partners (partner sexual orientation, gender, role, partnership type, partner-specific sexual acts) and 30-day sexual network characteristics (number of sexual partners, partnership types, frequency of anal/vaginal intercourse). Participants were tested for syphilis and urethral, rectal and oropharyngeal NG/CT. Differences in network characteristics were analysed with χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS Approximately 38.9% of participants had a new STI diagnosis (syphilis (rapid plasma reagin ≥16): 10.6%; NG/CT: 22.9%; syphilis-NG/CT coinfection: 5.4%). Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) was not significantly associated with an STI diagnosis. Gay-identified participants with exclusively homosexual networks had a higher prevalence of STIs (47.4%) than gay-identified MSM with only heterosexual/bisexual partners (34.6%, p=0.04), despite reporting fewer sexual partners (any partners: 2, 1-4 vs 3, 2-6; p=0.001; casual partners: 1, 0-3 vs 2, 1-4; p=0.001) and more stable partnerships (1, 0-1 vs 0, 0-1; p=0.003) in the last month. CONCLUSIONS Network size and the number of casual sexual partners were associated with NG/CT infection among MSM in Peru. Despite reporting fewer sexual risk behaviours (smaller network size, more stable partnerships, less CAI), MSM with homosexual-only sexual networks had a higher prevalence of NG/CT and syphilis. These findings suggest network composition among MSM in Peru plays an important role in the risk for STI acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie Blair
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ryan Colby Passaro
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eddy R Segura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Perú
| | - Jordan E Lake
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Jorge Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
| | - Javier R Lama
- Asociacion Civil Impacta Salud y Educacion, Lima, Peru
| | - Jesse L Clark
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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12
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Fairley CK, Cornelisse VJ, Hocking JS, Chow EPF. Models of gonorrhoea transmission from the mouth and saliva. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019; 19:e360-e366. [PMID: 31324517 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(19)30304-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This Personal View argues for a new framework of gonorrhoea transmission in men who have sex with men in which the oropharynx plays a major role in transmitting gonorrhoea to, or acquiring gonorrhoea from, their partner's oropharynx, penis, or anorectum through either direct contact or via saliva. To avoid preconceived notions of transmission dynamics, we ask readers to imagine that they are investigating a new sexually transmitted infection. On the basis of the existing clinical and epidemiological data for gonorrhoea at the penis, oropharynx, and anorectum site, we develop two models for transmission: the so-called penile model and the so-called oropharyngeal model. We argue that the existing epidemiological data and behavioural data best fit the oropharyngeal model. Our argument rests on the observation that, at the population level, the prevalence of urethral gonorrhoea is too rare to explain the high incidence of oropharynx and anorectum infection. We describe studies of gonorrhoea detection in saliva, saliva use during sex, epidemiological studies of kissing and oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, as well as studies aided by mathematical models. Finally, we argue that the correlation between sexual acts (eg, kissing, oral sex, anal sex, and saliva use) is so high that any epidemiological study that does not measure these factors will be prone to confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Vincent J Cornelisse
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Gaspari V, Marangoni A, D'Antuono A, Roncarati G, Salvo M, Foschi C, Re MC. Pharyngeal Chlamydia and gonorrhea: a hidden problem. Int J STD AIDS 2019; 30:732-738. [PMID: 31046619 DOI: 10.1177/0956462419838922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study we assessed the prevalence and predictors of pharyngeal infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in a cohort of patients attending an STI Clinic. From January 2016 to September 2018, 893 patients attending the STI Clinic of St Orsola-Malpighi Hospital (Bologna, Italy) and reporting unprotected oral sex were enrolled. A pharyngeal swab for the molecular detection of CT and NG was collected from each patient. Positive CT samples were further genotyped by an omp1 gene PCR. A total of 134 cases of gonorrhea (15%) and 34 chlamydial infections (3.8%) were detected in the pharyngeal site, with no significant differences between males (all men who have sex with men [MSM]) and females. More than 90% of the infections were completely asymptomatic, suggesting that symptoms were not predictors of a pharyngeal infection ( P = 0.7). On the contrary, a history of sexual contacts with a partner positive for CT and/or NG ( P < 0.0001), HIV positivity ( P = 0.01), and the presence of concurrent genital and/or rectal infections ( P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with CT/NG pharyngeal infections. Pharyngeal lymphogranuloma venereum cases were rare (prevalence: 0.4%), asymptomatic, and only found in MSM. Better knowledge about pharyngeal CT/NG infections could help to set up effective strategies for their prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Greta Roncarati
- 2 Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Melissa Salvo
- 2 Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Foschi
- 2 Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Re
- 2 Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Chow EPF, Grulich AE, Fairley CK. Epidemiology and prevention of sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men at risk of HIV. Lancet HIV 2019; 6:e396-e405. [PMID: 31006612 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30043-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Since 2012, the increasingly widespread promotion and uptake of HIV treatment as prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men has been associated with increased sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, numbers of STI cases have been rising for more than 20 years and the introduction of biomedical HIV interventions cannot explain the majority of the rises in STIs. The increases appear to have occurred mostly because of gradual changes in behaviour over many years, coupled in some settings with more condomless anal intercourse, and as a result of the increased screening for previously undetected asymptomatic infections. If control of STIs is to be improved, then a far greater emphasis on increased use of existing effective STI control strategies will be required, in addition to the investigation of new interventions. Central to effective STI control is accessible clinical care and screening services, which are currently inadequate in most settings. Insufficient action carries a risk of increased STI epidemics, including of newly resistant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | | | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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