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de Almeida SM, Tresoldi Neto J, Rocha A, Medeiros A, Gonçalves D, Guimarães F. Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Symptomatic Neurosyphilis in People With HIV Compared with Uninfected Individuals. J Neurovirol 2024:10.1007/s13365-024-01199-7. [PMID: 38472642 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-024-01199-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
We evaluated the diagnostic clinical performance characteristics (DCPC) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total protein (TP), white blood cell count (WBC), and lactate (LA) with different cutoff points as adjunct biomarkers of confirmed or presumptive symptomatic neurosyphilis (NS) and the impact of HIV infection. From 5,640 participants who underwent lumbar punctures, 236 participants were included, and classified as either people with HIV (PWH) or people without HIV (PWoH) according to the CDC criteria for confirmed NS (n = 42), presumptive NS (n = 74), systemic syphilis (SS) (n = 38), serological diagnosis of syphilis (n = 18), PWH without SS and NS (n = 10), and negative control (n = 72). In PWoH, for presumptive NS, the combination of CSF TP > 45 mg/dL and/or WBC > 5.0 cells/mm3 is valuable for screening, whereas in PWH, it is not recommended for either screening or case-finding NS, however the DCPC were better in the suppressed group. In PWoH, the value of CSF TP > 45 mg/dL is adequate for both screening and confirmation of presumptive NS, subject to prevalence. For WBC count > 20 cell/mm3, the positive predictive value (PPV) of the test is almost perfect, suggesting a confirmatory test. In PWH, CSF TP is an inadequate marker of NS. The WBC count, with cutoffs of > 10 or > 20 cells/mm3, was moderately applicable for screening.As conclusions: CSF WBC count and TP showed distinct DCPC in confirmed or presumptive NS, better in the former. These biomarkers could be included for presumptive NS diagnosis. DCPC of these biomarkers for the diagnosis of NS is greatly affected by HIV co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Monteiro de Almeida
- Virology Section, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Setor Análises Clínicas Rua Padre Camargo, Curitiba, PR, 80060-240, Brazil.
- Neuroinfection Outclinic, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - José Tresoldi Neto
- Virology Section, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Setor Análises Clínicas Rua Padre Camargo, Curitiba, PR, 80060-240, Brazil
- Neuroinfection Outclinic, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Amanda Rocha
- Virology Section, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Setor Análises Clínicas Rua Padre Camargo, Curitiba, PR, 80060-240, Brazil
- Neuroinfection Outclinic, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ana Medeiros
- Virology Section, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Setor Análises Clínicas Rua Padre Camargo, Curitiba, PR, 80060-240, Brazil
- Neuroinfection Outclinic, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Debora Gonçalves
- Virology Section, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Setor Análises Clínicas Rua Padre Camargo, Curitiba, PR, 80060-240, Brazil
- Neuroinfection Outclinic, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fausto Guimarães
- Virology Section, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Setor Análises Clínicas Rua Padre Camargo, Curitiba, PR, 80060-240, Brazil
- Neuroinfection Outclinic, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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Navarrete J, Saavedra-Portales S. Syphilis for dermatologists: Current concepts. Clin Dermatol 2024; 42:134-154. [PMID: 38142790 DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Dermatologists are familiar with the classic aspects of syphilis. Our objective in this update is to display novel features of sexually acquired syphilis, its pathophysiology, natural history, atypical clinical variants, skin of color, clinical pearls, and prospects. Textbook knowledge, congenital syphilis, epidemiology, and historical data are excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Navarrete
- Department of Dermatology, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile; Department of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, Hospital Padre Hurtado, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Stephanie Saavedra-Portales
- Department of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Santiago, Chile
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Wu Y, Lu L, Song X, Liu X, Yang Y, Chen L, Tang J, Han Y, Lv W, Cao W, Li T. Clinical and immunological characteristics of HIV/syphilis co-infected patients following long-term antiretroviral treatment. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1327896. [PMID: 38288435 PMCID: PMC10823526 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1327896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to analyze the efficacy of anti-syphilis treatment and the impact of syphilis events on HIV virology and immunology in HIV/syphilis co-infected patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to investigate the incidence and factors of syphilis recurrence/re-infection/serofast state. The insights derived from this investigation can potentially guide strategies for preventing and managing syphilis and AIDS. Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted at the AIDS clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2003 to December 2022. The study involved 86 HIV/syphilis co-infected patients and 86 HIV mono-infected patients matched based on age, baseline CD4 + T cell counts, and viral load. We examined the clinical characteristics of HIV/syphilis co-infected patients, evaluated the efficacy of anti-syphilis treatment, and analyzed the dynamic changes in HIV virology and immunology. The Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model investigated the factors associated with HIV/syphilis co-infection and syphilis recurrence/reinfection/serofast state. Results Syphilis serofast state was observed in 11.6% (10/86) of HIV/syphilis co-infected patients after treatment, and 33.7% (29/86) had syphilis recurrence or re-infection. The overall effectiveness of syphilis treatment stood at 76.8% (63/82). Notably, the effectiveness of syphilis treatment displayed a significant correlation with baseline syphilis titers exceeding 1:128 (p = 0.003). Over the 10-year follow-up period on ART, the HLA-DR + CD8+/CD8 + % levels in the HIV/syphilis co-infected group were markedly higher than those in the HIV mono-infected group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding HIV viral load, CD4+ T cell counts, CD8+ T cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio, and CD38 + CD8+/CD8 + % (p > 0.05). GEE analysis model revealed that elevated HLA-DR + CD8+/CD8 + % levels were associated with HIV/syphilis co-infection (OR = 1.026, 95% CI = 1.007-1.046; p = 0.007) and syphilis recurrence/reinfection/serofast state (OR = 1.036, 95% CI = 1.008-1.065; p = 0.012). Conclusion While HIV/syphilis co-infected patients typically receive adequate treatment, the incidence of syphilis recurrence and reinfection remain notably elevated. A heightened HLA-DR + CD8+/CD8+ % is a notable risk factor for HIV/syphilis co-infection and syphilis recurrence/reinfection/serofast state. Therefore, it is advisable to reinforce health education efforts and ensure regular follow-ups for people living with HIV undergoing ART to monitor syphilis infection or increased risk of syphilis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanni Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lianfeng Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosheng Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lv
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Taisheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Jiba DF, Lakoh S, Wang S, Sun W, Barrie U, Kamara MN, Jalloh AT, Tamba FK, Yendewa GA, Song JW, Yang G. Sero-prevalence of syphilis infection among people living with HIV in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional nationwide hospital-based study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:762. [PMID: 37932713 PMCID: PMC10626761 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08740-9] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, there were an estimated 7.1 million new syphilis infections in 2020, with more than 30% of these new infections reported in African countries such as Sierra Leone. Despite this, there is no HIV-specific syphilis screening program in Sierra Leone. Thus, data are needed to inform public health practice. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of syphilis seropositivity and factors associated with syphilis seropositivity among people living with HIV (PLHIV). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at 10 health facilities in Sierra Leone, among adults with HIV, aged 18 years or older, from September 2022 to January 2023. Parameters of interest were collected including age, sex, marriage, antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen, HIV viral load, duration of ART treatment, and hospital level of care. The syphilis antibody was detected by a rapid test based on immunochromatography assay. Data were analyzed using R-software version 4.2.3 (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Pearson's χ2 test, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were applied to assess the differences in syphilis seropositivity between groups as appropriate. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with syphilis seropositivity. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 3082 PLHIV individuals in our study, 2294 (74.4%) were female and 2867 (93.0%) were receiving ART. With a median age of 36 years, 211 (6.8%, 95% CI 6.0-7.7) were positive for syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis was highest in people aged 60 years and over (21.1%, 95%CI 14.7-29.2), followed by people aged 50-60 years (15.5%, 95%CI 11.9-19.9) and in the widowed population (11.9%, 95%CI 8.9-15.8). There were no differences in syphilis seropositivity between gender, ART status, ART regimen, duration of ART, HIV viral load and hospital level of care. Older age (50-60 years: adjusted OR 3.49, 95%CI 2.09-5.85 P < 0.001; 60-100 years: adjusted OR 4.28, 95%CI 2.21-8.17, P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of seropositive syphilis. CONCLUSIONS We observed a high prevalence of syphilis among PLHIV. Older people and widowed population have higher syphilis seropositivity. Older age was an independent predictor of syphilis positivity. Therefore, we call for the integration of syphilis screening, treatment and prevention in HIV services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darlinda F Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Sulaiman Lakoh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Shuchao Wang
- Changchun Veterinary Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Sun
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Abdulai Tejan Jalloh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Francis K Tamba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - George A Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jin-Wen Song
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, the Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Blohm A, O'Donnell A, Simmons K, Fitzpatrick C, Williams D, Richardson D. Early syphilis and transient loss of HIV virological control in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:e441-e442. [PMID: 36178168 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Blohm
- Sexual Health & HIV, University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Alice O'Donnell
- Sexual Health & HIV, University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Kiersten Simmons
- Sexual Health & HIV, University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Colin Fitzpatrick
- Sexual Health & HIV, University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Deborah Williams
- Sexual Health & HIV, University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Daniel Richardson
- Sexual Health & HIV, University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust, Brighton, UK.,Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
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Shreya S, Chawla R, Anuradha S, Singh MM, Manchanda V, Saxena S. Proportion of syphilis and hepatitis B and C virus infections among the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre attendees of a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS 2023; 44:35-39. [PMID: 37457542 PMCID: PMC10343129 DOI: 10.4103/ijstd.ijstd_113_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the immune system of the body, causing a breakdown in its normal defenses and leaving it vulnerable to a host of life-threatening diseases. High-risk behaviors and routes of transmission for sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are identical with HIV. This study was conducted to assess the proportion of syphilis and hepatitis B and C virus infections in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, and their association with socioeconomic and other factors in Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) attendees, and to determine the association of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte count with these co-infections in HIV-positive individuals. Materials and Methods The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital. It included 100 HIV-positive individuals and 100 matched HIV-negative controls attending the ICTC. HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy and patients with history of current/past treatment for chronic hepatitis infection were excluded from the study. Blood samples were tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C infections. Results The prevalence of syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C was observed in 3.5%, 2%, and 10% of patients, respectively. The frequency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals was 1% and 3%, respectively. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients was 16% and 4%, respectively. Syphilis was seen in 7% of the HIV-infected patients. The mean CD4+ count for the HIV-positive patients with either syphilis, HBV, or HCV infections was 252 ± 137.5 cells/μl. Significant associations between HIV infection and education below high school, IV drug abuse, and multiple sexual partners were observed. Conclusions The HIV-infected patients were observed to be at an increased risk of acquiring syphilis and HCV co-infections through the shared routes of transmission. Routine screening of these patients for concurrent syphilis and viral hepatitis may aid in prompt diagnosis and treatment with improved outcomes, which in turn may decrease the further spread of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunidhi Shreya
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Rohit Chawla
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - S. Anuradha
- Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Mongjam Meghachandra Singh
- Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikas Manchanda
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonal Saxena
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
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Hojilla JC, Sarovar V, Lam JO, Park IU, Vincent W, Hare CB, Silverberg MJ, Satre DD. Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening in Key Populations of Persons Living with HIV. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:96-105. [PMID: 35916949 PMCID: PMC9851927 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03747-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Annual screening for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI), including gonorrhea/chlamydia (GC/CT) and syphilis, is recommended for persons with HIV (PWH). We used the prevention index to quantify the extent to which STI screening was completed at guideline-recommended frequency in African American and Latinx persons, women, persons with alcohol (AUD) and substance (SUD) use disorders. Data from PWH at Kaiser Permanente Northern California were collected from electronic health records. We defined receipt of GC/CT and syphilis screening consistent with recommendations as a prevention index score ≥ 75%. Among 9655 PWH (17.7% Latinx; 16.2% African American; 9.6% female; 12.4% AUD; 22.1% SUD), prevention index scores for GC/CT and syphilis increased from 2015 to 2019. African American PWH had lower odds of receiving an annual syphilis screen (aOR 0.87 [95% CI 0.79-0.97]). Female sex was associated with lower odds of GC/CT (aOR 0.30 [95% CI 0.27-0.34]) and syphilis (aOR 0.27 [95% CI 0.24-0.310) screening. AUD and SUD were not associated with differences in annual GC/CT or syphilis screening. Key PWH subgroups experience ongoing challenges to annual STI screening despite comparable healthcare access.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Carlo Hojilla
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
| | - Varada Sarovar
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer O Lam
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Ina U Park
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Wilson Vincent
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - C Bradley Hare
- Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Michael J Silverberg
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Derek D Satre
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Wu Y, Zhu W, Sun C, Yue X, Zheng M, Fu G, Gong X. Prevalence of syphilis among people living with HIV and its implication for enhanced coinfection monitoring and management in China: A meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1002342. [PMID: 36324449 PMCID: PMC9618949 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1002342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background People living with HIV (PLWH) are at an increased risk of syphilis infection. The objectives of this study were to assess the overall prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China and identify factors associated with syphilis infection among PLWH. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Wan-fang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) to identify studies that reported the prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China and were published in English or Chinese from January 1, 1990, to May 31, 2022. The reference lists of retrieved articles and relevant reviews were also checked to identify additional studies. A random-effect model was fitted to calculate the pooled syphilis prevalence among PLWH. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the potential source of heterogeneity. Results Of the 1,599 articles screened, 29 studies involving 34,740 participants were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China was 19.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.4-24.8%, I 2 = 98.9%]. Subgroup analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV (21.9%, 95% CI: 17.2-26.9%) was much higher than that among heterosexuals (10.3%, 95% CI: 5.2-16.8%); there was regional diversity in the prevalence of syphilis, the highest in northern China (31.7%, 95% CI: 17.9-47.4%), followed by central-southern China (26.7%, 95% CI: 11.4-45.7%), and the lowest in northwestern China (15.0%, 95% CI: 6.9-25.4%); the syphilis prevalence among PLWH decreased as CD4 + T cell count increased (19.6% in CD4 + T cell < 200 vs. 8.7% in ≥ 500) and was higher among non-antiretroviral therapy (non-ART) HIV-infected patients (21.0%, 95% CI: 9.9-35.0%) than that among ART ones (16.1%, 95% CI: 3.9-34.3%). Conclusions Our study showed a significantly high prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China, particularly among MSM with HIV. Developing national guidelines for the integrated screening, monitoring, and management of HIV and syphilis as well as syphilis diagnosis and treatment training programs for physicians at designated HIV treatment hospitals is urgent and crucial to combat HIV and syphilis coinfection in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuelin Wu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenqian Zhu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengqing Sun
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Yue
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Department of STD Epidemiology, National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Gengfeng Fu
- Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangdong Gong
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Department of STD Epidemiology, National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China
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Li B, Zhang L, Liu Y, Xiao J, Li C, Fan L, Duan Y, Xiao J, Hao Y, Han J, Kong Y, Zhao H. A novel prediction model to evaluate the probability of CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio restoration in HIV-infected individuals. AIDS 2022; 36:795-804. [PMID: 35013083 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study aimed to develop a clinical prediction model to evaluate the possibility of CD4+/CD8+ ratio restoration in HIV-positive individuals. METHODS About 1980, HIV/AIDS patients initiated with antiretroviral treatment from 1 January 2013, to 30 December 2016, at Beijing Ditan Hospital and achieved persistent virological suppression during the 4 years follow-up were included in this study. Multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors and establish a predictive model. The model's performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic and calibration plots. RESULTS Overall, after 4 years of treatment, a total of 455 individuals (22.98%) restored their CD4+/CD8+ ratio (≥1). The area under the receiver operating characteristic was 0.782 and 0.743 in the deriving and validation cohort, respectively. The ultimate model included five indexes: age at AIDS diagnosis, albumin, and syphilis status, and baseline CD4+ and CD8+ values. A nomogram further visualized the model, and the calibration plots indicated high agreement of predicted and observed outcomes. CONCLUSION Our prediction model might be practical and easily applied to recognize HIV/AIDS individuals most likely to benefit from modern antiretroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Li
- Clinical and Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Leidan Zhang
- Department of Infection, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing
| | - Ying Liu
- Clinical and Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Jing Xiao
- Department of Infection, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing
| | - Cuilin Li
- Department of Infection, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing
| | - Lina Fan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin
| | - Yujiao Duan
- Clinical and Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Jiang Xiao
- Clinical and Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Yu Hao
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junyan Han
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaxian Kong
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxin Zhao
- Clinical and Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
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Xie N, Hu X, Yan H, Ruan L, Liu C, Hu R, Ma H, Luo Y, Liu L, Wang X. Effects of Case Management on Risky Sexual Behaviors and Syphilis Among HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A Randomized Controlled Study. Sex Transm Dis 2022; 49:22-28. [PMID: 34192724 PMCID: PMC8663520 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of syphilis is very high in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), and effective interventions are needed to educate HIV-positive individuals about behavioral and biological risk factors. Therefore, we developed a standard case management process and conducted a randomized controlled study to investigate the impact on risky sexual behaviors and syphilis in HIV-positive MSM. METHODS Men who have sex with men (n = 220) were enrolled and randomized to the case management intervention group and the control group between May 2016 and January 2017. The control group received routine HIV-related care. In addition to routine HIV-related care, those in the intervention group regularly received extended services from a well-trained case manager. Epidemiological information was collected during the baseline face-to-face interviews by a trained investigator. Serological tests for syphilis and assessments of risky sexual behaviors were performed at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment. RESULTS The syphilis incidence rates in the intervention and control groups were 11.3 per 100 person-years and 20.6 per 100 person-years, respectively. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence inter) for syphilis in case management group was 0.34 (0.14-0.87). The percentages of participants who resumed risky sexual behaviors in both groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) but did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS A case management intervention reduced the incidence of syphilis in HIV-positive MSM. We should further increase the content of case management on the basis of providing routine HIV-related care to those people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nianhua Xie
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Xuejiao Hu
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Han Yan
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Lianguo Ruan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Jin Yin-tan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cong Liu
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Rong Hu
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Hongfei Ma
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Yanhe Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Jin Yin-tan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Jin Yin-tan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xia Wang
- From the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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11
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Singh D, Switzer WM, Belcher R, Daltry D, Read JS. Identification of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Neurosyphilis Cluster in Vermont. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:e3244-e3249. [PMID: 33289032 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1834] [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: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of syphilis in the United States have more than doubled over the last several decades, largely among men who have sex with men (MSM). Our study characterizes a cluster of neurosyphilis cases among people with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) in Vermont in 2017-2018. METHODS Vermont Department of Health disease intervention specialists conduct interviews with newly diagnosed HIV-1 cases and pursue sexual networking analyses. Phylogenetic and network analyses of available Vermont HIV-1 polymerase (pol) sequences identified clusters of infection. Fishers-exact and independent t-tests were used to compare people with HIV-1 within or outside an identified cluster. RESULTS Between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018, 38 residents were diagnosed with HIV-1 infection. The mean age was 35.5 years, 79% were male and 82% were White. Risk factors for HIV-1 included MSM status (79%) and methamphetamine use (21%). Eighteen cases (49%) had HIV-1 viral loads (VLs) >100 000 copies/mL and 47% had CD4 cell counts <200/mm3. Eleven of the 38 (29%) had positive syphilis serology, including four (36%) with neurosyphilis. Sexual networking analysis revealed a ten-person cluster with higher VLs at diagnosis (90% with VLs > 100 000 copies/mL vs 33%, P = 0.015). Phylogenetic analysis of pol sequences showed a cluster of 14 cases with sequences that shared 98%-100% HIV-1 nucleotide identity. CONCLUSIONS This investigation of newly infected HIV-1 cases in Vermont led to identification of a cluster that appeared more likely to have advanced HIV-1 disease and neurosyphilis, supported by phylogenetic and network analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devika Singh
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - William M Switzer
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Roy Belcher
- Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Daniel Daltry
- Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Jennifer S Read
- Department of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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12
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Fan L, Yu A, Zhang D, Wang Z, Ma P. Consequences of HIV/Syphilis Co-Infection on HIV Viral Load and Immune Response to Antiretroviral Therapy. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:2851-2862. [PMID: 34335031 PMCID: PMC8318222 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s320648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although syphilis is a frequent co-infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the influence of syphilis on immune response and virologic failure in HIV-infected patients following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not well-defined. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at Tianjin Second People's Hospital to evaluate the prevalence of syphilis and immune status in 4171 ART-naïve patients. The study included patients who initiated ART between August 2009 and June 2019. Results The prevalence of syphilis was 40.1% in all ART-naïve patients and 42.5% in ART-naïve men who have sex with men. HIV/syphilis co-infection was associated with higher virologic failure (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.30 (1.04, 1.63)). Patients with HIV/syphilis co-infection had lower median CD4+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios at baseline. After initiation of ART, patients co-infected with HIV/syphilis had smaller increases in CD4+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios than patients infected only with HIV. The rate of recurrence of syphilis or reinfection was 9% (n = 128) during seven years of ART. Conclusion HIV/syphilis co-infection had a negative impact on immune recovery and antiretroviral effectiveness. RPR titer and HIV viral load should be monitored in patients co-infected with HIV/syphilis, especially in patients with high RPR titers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiping Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Defa Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
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13
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Time to Serological Cure and Associated Factors Among Syphilis Patients With and Without HIV in a Sexually Transmitted Infections Center, Thailand. Sex Transm Dis 2021; 47:283-289. [PMID: 32149964 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Together with clinical correlation, nontreponemal titers are used to monitor treatment outcomes. Syphilis patients with HIV and without HIV coinfection were found to have different serological responses after treatment. This study aims to determine time to serological cure for treatment of syphilis and factors associated with it in patients with and without HIV. METHOD A descriptive study of syphilis patients who visited Bangrak STIs Center between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016. Univariate analysis was done to determine factors associated with serological outcomes. Survival curve analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to compare time to serological cure between patients with various characteristics. RESULTS Of 497 syphilis patients, 62.1% had serological cure, 2.2% had nonresponse, 4.6% had treatment failure or reinfection, 9.9% had serofast status, and 21.2% were undetermined because of loss to follow-up. The time to serological cure was 110 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 59-163 days) and 102 days (95% CI, 94-110 days) among patients with HIV and without HIV, respectively (P = 0.162). Time to serological cure was significantly faster in early syphilis and baseline titer ≥1:32. After adjustment with the Cox regression model, patients with early syphilis were associated with serological cure with a hazard ratio of 1.75 (95% CI, 1.32-2.32). Time to serological cure among early syphilis patients was significantly longer in HIV-positive than HIV-negative patients (P = 0.002), whereas no difference was observed in late syphilis (P = 0.104). CONCLUSION Early syphilis was associated with faster time to serological cure. HIV patients with early syphilis took longer time to reach serological cure than did HIV-negative patients, whereas no such a difference was observed in late syphilis.
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14
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Chan P, Colby DJ, Kroon E, Sacdalan C, Pinyakorn S, Paul R, Robb M, Valcour V, Ananworanich J, Marra C, Spudich S. Clinical and laboratory impact of concomitant syphilis infection during acute HIV. HIV Med 2021; 22:502-511. [PMID: 33728759 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cognitive impairment has been reported in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) with prior syphilis, while PLWH who present with incident syphilis have reduced blood CD4 T-lymphocyte and elevated HIV-1 RNA levels. However, the clinical, virological and neurocognitive effects of syphilis during acute HIV-1 (AHI) remain unknown. METHODS Pre-antiretroviral therapy laboratory outcomes and neurocognitive performance in a four-test battery in the SEARCH10/RV254 AHI cohort were compared according to syphilis status, determined by serum Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and syphilis treatment history. Impaired cognitive performance was defined as having z-scores ≤ -1 in at least two tests or ≤ -2 in at least one test. RESULTS Out of 595 AHI participants (97% male, median age of 26 years and estimated duration of HIV-1 infection of 19 days), 119 (20%) had history of syphilis (TPHA-positive), of whom 51 (9%) had untreated syphilis (TPHA-positive/VDRL-positive/without prior treatment). Compared with those without syphilis (TPHA-negative), individuals with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T-lymphocyte levels but not higher plasma HIV-1 RNA or lower CD4 T-lymphocyte levels. Taking into account estimated duration of HIV-1 infection (P < 0.001), and later Fiebig stages (III-V) (P < 0.001), those with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T-lymphocyte levels (P = 0.049). Individuals with any syphilis (TPHA-positive), but not untreated syphilis, had higher odds of impaired cognitive performance than those without (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS During AHI, individuals with any history of syphilis (TPHA-positive) had poorer cognitive performance than those without syphilis. However, syphilis was not associated with worsened HIV disease measures as described in chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Chan
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - D J Colby
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - E Kroon
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - C Sacdalan
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - S Pinyakorn
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.,U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - R Paul
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - M Robb
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.,U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - V Valcour
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Ananworanich
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Global Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Marra
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - S Spudich
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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15
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Muccini C, Crowell TA, Pinyakorn S, Kroon E, Sacdalan C, Ananworanich J, Vasan S, Phanuphak N, Colby DJ. Brief Report: Syphilis Incidence and Effect on Viral Load, CD4, and CD4/CD8 Ratio in a Thai Cohort of Predominantly Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 86:219-223. [PMID: 33433124 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis has been increasing in the past years, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of the study was to assess syphilis prevalence and incidence and changes in CD4 count and viremia in the RV254 cohort of persons living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy during acute HIV infection (AHI) in Bangkok, Thailand. METHODS From 2009 to 2018, all cohort participants with AHI were tested for syphilis using a qualitative treponemal chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay and rapid plasma reagin on enrollment, every 24-48 weeks thereafter and when clinically indicated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with incident syphilis. RESULTS Among 579 participants, the median age was 26 (interquartile range: 22-31) years and 564 (97.4%) were men. Syphilis prevalence at enrollment was 14.3% and incidence was 10.2 cases per 100 person-years. Participants with syphilis were more likely to be MSM (HR 3.68, 95% CI: 1.16 to 11.62), use methamphetamine (HR 2.31, 95% CI: 1.51 to 3.54), and have hepatitis C (HR 2.63, 95% CI: 1.59 to 4.34). HIV RNA >50 copies/mL occurred in 6 (3.9%) participants at incident syphilis diagnosis and in 6 (3.9%) after syphilis treatment. Median CD4 count (cells/mm3) declined from 663 before syphilis to 624 at syphilis diagnosis (P = 0.07), rising again to 660 after syphilis treatment. CONCLUSION Syphilis was common in the RV254 cohort, inducing a marginal but significant impact on HIV RNA and a temporary decline in CD4. Syphilis screening and behavioral risk reduction counseling should be implemented for MSM with AHI in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Muccini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Trevor A Crowell
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; and
| | - Suteeraporn Pinyakorn
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; and
| | - Eugène Kroon
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Carlo Sacdalan
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jintanat Ananworanich
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Global Health, the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sandhya Vasan
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; and
| | | | - Donn J Colby
- SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; and
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16
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Abstract
Syphilis and HIV are important public health issues in the United States, especially in the southeastern region. This study aimed to determine and describe the co-infection pattern in Mississippi by using a case-controlled design to analyze cases diagnosed with syphilis or HIV from 2007 to 2016. Direct matching was employed to identify cases that were co-infected during the same calendar year, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of co-infection. Results showed that 1736 (34.0%) of syphilis and HIV cases were co-infected during the same calendar year. Binary logistic regression results demonstrated that race, gender, age group, and exposure category were independently associated with co-infection status. These analyses highlighted the progressive increase of co-infection rates in Mississippi. Collaboration between STI/HIV surveillance teams may identify high-risk individuals and reduce transmission of both diseases.
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17
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Wertheim JO, Oster AM, Switzer WM, Zhang C, Panneer N, Campbell E, Saduvala N, Johnson JA, Heneine W. Natural selection favoring more transmissible HIV detected in United States molecular transmission network. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5788. [PMID: 31857582 PMCID: PMC6923435 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13723-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV molecular epidemiology can identify clusters of individuals with elevated rates of HIV transmission. These variable transmission rates are primarily driven by host risk behavior; however, the effect of viral traits on variable transmission rates is poorly understood. Viral load, the concentration of HIV in blood, is a heritable viral trait that influences HIV infectiousness and disease progression. Here, we reconstruct HIV genetic transmission clusters using data from the United States National HIV Surveillance System and report that viruses in clusters, inferred to be frequently transmitted, have higher viral loads at diagnosis. Further, viral load is higher in people in larger clusters and with increased network connectivity, suggesting that HIV in the United States is experiencing natural selection to be more infectious and virulent. We also observe a concurrent increase in viral load at diagnosis over the last decade. This evolutionary trajectory may be slowed by prevention strategies prioritized toward rapidly growing transmission clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel O Wertheim
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Alexandra M Oster
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - William M Switzer
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chenhua Zhang
- ICF International, Atlanta, GA, USA
- SciMetrika LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nivedha Panneer
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ellsworth Campbell
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey A Johnson
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Walid Heneine
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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18
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Liu LL, Liu WN, Jiang XY, Jun-Ren, Chen MH, Liu ZJ, Lin Y, Zhu SG, Lin LR, Zheng WH, Yan JH, Yang TC. Changes of T lymphocyte subsets in patients with HIV-negative symptomatic neurosyphilis. Microb Pathog 2019; 130:213-218. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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19
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Rotman L, Luo X, Thompson A, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Young LR, Young JD. Risk of neurosyphilis in HIV-infected persons with syphilis lacking signs or symptoms of central nervous system infection. HIV Med 2018; 20:27-32. [PMID: 30402918 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES People living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of asymptomatic neurosyphilis; thus, it has been common practice to perform a lumbar puncture (LP) in all PLWH presenting with syphilis regardless of stage, signs or symptoms. However, this practice varies widely among clinicians. Our objective was to elucidate the number of LPs required to diagnose a single case of asymptomatic neurosyphilis. METHODS We performed an electronic health record (EHR) review of PLWH who were diagnosed with syphilis of any stage over a 10-year period. EHRs were reviewed to determine the number of subjects who had an LP performed, what proportion had neurological signs or symptoms, and whether a diagnosis of neurosyphilis was made at presentation or follow-up. RESULTS In 261 separate episodes of syphilis in 230 subjects, we found the major risk factors for asymptomatic neurosyphilis to be low CD4 T-cell count (P = 0.0007), high rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre (P = 0.019) and lack of HIV virological suppression (P = 0.003). The majority of our subjects (78%) with neurosyphilis presented with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. We estimate, if standard practice is to perform LP in all patients, that the number needed to test (NNTT) = 38. CONCLUSIONS This large number of potentially unnecessary LPs, along with heterogeneity of presentation, and the never-nil risk of asymptomatic neurosyphilis should be incorporated into clinical decision-making. The majority of PLWH presenting with a serological diagnosis of syphilis, but no neurological signs or symptoms, do not necessarily require an LP for an evaluation of asymptomatic neurosyphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rotman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - X Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - A Thompson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology & International Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M E Mackesy-Amiti
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - L R Young
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J D Young
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology & International Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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20
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Consider Syphilis in Case of Lymphopenia in HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Single-center, Retrospective Study. Infect Dis Ther 2018; 7:485-494. [PMID: 30377976 PMCID: PMC6249181 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-018-0219-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The way syphilis affects the immunologic and virologic parameters of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of syphilis infection on lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset counts as well as viral load in HIV-infected patients. Methods All HIV-infected patients attending the outpatient clinic for infectious diseases of Hannover Medical University Hospital diagnosed with syphilis between 2009 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated for changes in total lymphocyte, B cell, CD3+ T cell, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts as well as in HIV viral load. These parameters were assessed at three different time points, i.e., 3–6 months before, at diagnosis and 3–6 months after treatment of syphilis. Results Eighty-four HIV-infected patients, all with early syphilis, were identified. The vast majority were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 80% were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Syphilis was associated with a significant reduction in the total lymphocyte count and counts of all studied lymphocyte subsets, including CD4+ T cells, whose percentage among lymphocytes did not change. No significant changes in HIV viral load were observed at any of the studied time points. Further, antibiotic treatment of syphilis restored lymphocyte counts back to pretreatment levels. Conclusion Syphilis induces a relative non-CD4+ T cell-specific lymphopenia in HIV-infected patients. Our data suggest that serologic testing for syphilis should be considered in HIV-infected MSM in case of an otherwise unexplained drop in total lymphocyte count. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40121-018-0219-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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21
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Stellbrink HJ. [Treatment of HIV-infected patients: metabolism, bone, cardiovascular - what is part of routine care?]. MMW Fortschr Med 2018; 159:14-23. [PMID: 28597280 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-017-9047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jürgen Stellbrink
- Infektionsmedizinisches Centrum Hamburg (ICH), Grindelallee 35, D-20146, Hamburg, Deutschland.
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22
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Lang R, Read R, Krentz HB, Peng M, Ramazani S, Vu Q, Gill MJ. A retrospective study of the clinical features of new syphilis infections in an HIV-positive cohort in Alberta, Canada. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e021544. [PMID: 29991630 PMCID: PMC6082489 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Syphilis is a global health concern with an estimated 12 million infections occurring annually. Due to the increasing rates of new syphilis infections being reported in patients infected with HIV, and their higher risk for atypical and severe presentations, periodic screening has been recommended as a routine component of HIV care. We aimed to characterise incident syphilis presentation, serological features and treatment response in a well-defined, HIV-infected population over 11 years. METHODS Since 2006, as routine practice of both the Southern Alberta Clinic and Calgary STI programmes, syphilis screening has accompanied HIV viral load measures every 4 months. All records of patients who, while in HIV care, either converted from being syphilis seronegative to a confirmed seropositive or were reinfected as evidenced by a fourfold increase in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) after past successful treatment, were reviewed. RESULTS We identified 249 incident syphilis infections in 194 different individuals infected with HIV; 72% were initial infections whereas 28% were reinfections. Half (50.8%) of the infections were asymptomatic and identified only by routine screening. Symptomatic syphilis was more common when RPR titres were higher (p=0.03). In patients with recurrent syphilis infection, a trend was noted favouring symptomatic presentation (62%, p=0.07). All 10 patients with central nervous system (CNS) syphilis involvement presented with an RPR titre ≥1:32. Following syphilis infection, a decline of 42 cells/mm3 in CD4 (p=0.004) was found, but no significant changes in viral load occurred. No association was found with the stage of syphilis or symptoms at presentation and antiretroviral therapy use, CD4 count or virological suppression. CONCLUSION Routine screening of our HIV-infected population identified many asymptomatic syphilis infections. The interaction of HIV and syphilis infection appears to be bidirectional with effects noted on both HIV and syphilis clinical and serological markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynell Lang
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ron Read
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hartmut B Krentz
- S Alberta HIV Clinic, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mingkai Peng
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Soheil Ramazani
- S Alberta HIV Clinic, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Quang Vu
- S Alberta HIV Clinic, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - M John Gill
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- S Alberta HIV Clinic, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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HIV-1 integrase strand-transfer inhibitor resistance in southern Taiwan. Oncotarget 2018; 9:24927-24935. [PMID: 29861843 PMCID: PMC5982757 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of antiretroviral therapy has reduced rates of mortality and morbidity in patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS). However, transmission of drug-resistant strains poses a challenge to control the spread of HIV-1. Primary resistance to integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) is rare despite their increased use. The prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to INSTIs was 0.9% in northern Taiwan. This study was to analyse the prevalence and risk factors of TDR to INSTIs in southern Taiwan. In this study, we enrolled antiretroviral treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected subjects who underwent voluntary counselling and testing from 2013 to 2016 in southern Taiwan. Genotypic drug resistance, coreceptor tropism (CRT) and INSTI resistance were determined. Logistic regression was used to analyse the risk factors for INSTI polymorphic substitution. Sequences were obtained from 184 consecutive individuals, of whom 96.7% were men who have sex with men and 3.3% were heterosexual. Of the patients, 10% (19/183) had hepatitis B and 33.3% (61/183) had syphilis infection. Subtype B HIV-1 strains were found in 96.1% of the patients. Fifteen patients (8.4%, 15/178) harboured nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors resistance. CCR-5 coreceptors were used by 71.4% (130/184) of the patients. None of the patients had INSTI resistance-associated mutations, however 16 patients had INSTI polymorphic substitutions, and they were associated with a higher HIV viral load (p = 0.03, OR 2.4, CI 1.1–5.3) and syphilis infection (p = 0.03, OR 3.7, CI 1.1–12.0). In conclusion, no signature INSTI resistance-associated mutations were detected in our cohort. Continued monitoring of TDR to INSTI is needed due to the increased use of INSTIs.
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Bet GMDS, Souza GHDAD, Croda J, Correa ME, de Sales RO, Santos RADS, Viebrantz Enne Sgarbi R, Yassuda RTS, Coimbra Motta-Castro AR, Pompílio MA, Simionatto S. Treatment Outcomes of Brazilian Inmates with Treponema pallidum and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Prospective Cohort Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:1603-1608. [PMID: 29737273 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and treatment outcomes of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in inmates from Central Brazil. In 2013, 3,363 inmates from 12 prisons in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul were recruited, and 1,614 remained incarcerated after 1 year. The inmates were interviewed, and blood samples were collected for serological testing for Treponema pallidum and HIV infections. Inmates infected with T. pallidum or HIV within the first year were assessed for treatment using prison medical record data, based on Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test results, HIV-1 viral load, and CD4 counts. Acquired syphilis was identified in 5.8% (N = 95) of the inmates and 74% (N = 70) of them demonstrated poor treatment outcomes after 1 year. Multivariate analysis revealed that not reporting a stable partner was a risk factor for failure of syphilis treatment. Twenty-five patients had HIV (1.5%) and among those, 13 (52%) had an HIV-1 viral load > 200 copies/mL after 1 year. The incidence of T. pallidum and HIV infections was 0.5% (N = 9). The poor treatment outcomes of syphilis and HIV within Brazilian prisons demonstrate the inadequacy of public health programs. Although the incidence of these infections within the prison population is low, new cases still occur. Our results reinforce the significance of screening programs during prison admission for early detection and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Júlio Croda
- Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Instituto Penal de Campo Grande, Agência Estadual de Administração do Sistema Penitenciário (Agepen), Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Maísa Estopa Correa
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Romário Oliveira de Sales
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ruthe Aline da Silva Santos
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Viebrantz Enne Sgarbi
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Terumi Shiguematsu Yassuda
- Instituto Penal de Campo Grande, Agência Estadual de Administração do Sistema Penitenciário (Agepen), Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maurício Antônio Pompílio
- Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Simone Simionatto
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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Lang R, Read R, Krentz HB, Ramazani S, Peng M, Gratrix J, Gill MJ. Increasing incidence of syphilis among patients engaged in HIV care in Alberta, Canada: a retrospective clinic-based cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:125. [PMID: 29534681 PMCID: PMC5851255 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3038-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is a global health concern disproportionately affecting HIV-infected populations. In Alberta, Canada, the incidence of syphilis in the general population has recently doubled with 25% of these infections occurring in HIV-infected patients. The Southern Alberta HIV Clinic (SAC) and Calgary STI Program (CSTI) analyzed the epidemiologic characteristics of incident syphilis infections in our well-defined, HIV-infected population over 11 years. METHODS Since 2006, as routine practice of both the Southern Alberta Clinic (SAC) and Calgary STI Programs (CSTI), syphilis screening has accompanied HIV viral load measures every four months. All records of patients who, while in HIV care, either converted from being syphilis seronegative to a confirmed seropositive or were re-infected as evidenced by a four-fold increase in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) after past successful treatment, were reviewed. RESULTS Incident syphilis was identified 249 times in 194 HIV-infected individuals. There were 36 individuals with repeated infections (28.5% of episodes). Following a prior decline in annual incident syphilis rates, the rates have tripled from 8.08/1000 patient-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.14-14.75) in 2011, to 27.04 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 19.45-36.76) in 2016. Half of the syphilis episodes were asymptomatic. Patients diagnosed with syphilis were twice as likely not to be taking ART and had a higher likelihood of having plasma HIV RNA viral loads > 1000 copies/mL (19%). Incident syphilis was seen predominantly in Caucasians (72%, P < 0.001), males (94%, P < 0.001) and men who have sex with men (MSM) as their HIV risk activity (75%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We have highlighted the importance of a regular syphilis screening program in HIV-infected individuals demonstrated by increasing rates of incident syphilis in our region. Targeted preventative strategies should be directed towards HIV-infected populations identified at highest risk, including; MSM, prior alcohol abuse, prior recreational drug use and those with prior syphilis diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynell Lang
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, S Alberta HIV Clinic, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Ron Read
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, S Alberta HIV Clinic, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | | | | | - Mingkai Peng
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jennifer Gratrix
- Alberta Health Services STI Centralized Services, Edmonton, Canada
| | - M. John Gill
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, S Alberta HIV Clinic, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
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Wang Z, Liu L, Shen YZ, Zhang RF, Qi TK, Tang Y, Song W, Chen J, Lu H. The clinical and laboratory features of neurosyphilis in HIV-infected patients: A retrospective study in 92 patients. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e0078. [PMID: 29489672 PMCID: PMC5851754 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurosyphilis (NS) is an important component of central nervous system diseases among HIV-infected patients. However, its characteristics are not very clear. A retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory findings was performed in 92 NS patients with HIV infection from a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. The patients had a median age of 38 years and a median CD4 count of 198 cells/μL. In all, 44.6% (41/92) were diagnosed as asymptomatic NS (ANS), 23.9% (22/92) as syphilitic meningitis, 17.4% (16/92) as cerebrovascular NS, and 14.1% (13/92) as parenchymal syphilis. A quarter of patients (23/92) complicated with ocular syphilis (OS), 60.9% (14/23) of which were ANS. The serum tolulized red unheated serum test (TRUST) titers were ≤1:8 in 15 patients (16.3%), 1:16-1:128 in 51 patients (55.4%), and ≥1:256 in 26 patients (28.3%). Sixty-nine patients (75.0%) had both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TRUST and Treponema pallidum particle assay reactive. CSF pleocytosis and protein elevation were found in 58.7% and 53.3% of patients, respectively. Syphilitic meningitis was more likely to present with CSF pleocytosis than ANS (P = .001), cerebrovascular NS (P < .001), and parenchymal NS (P < .001). The proportion of patients with CSF elevated protein was lower in ANS group than that in syphilitic meningitis (P = .003), cerebrovascular NS (P = .001), and parenchymal NS groups (P = .025), and was higher in sero-TRUST titers ≤1:8 group than that in 1:16-1:128 (P = .01) and 1:256-1:1024 groups (P = .005).This study revealed that ANS was the most common clinical type of NS in HIV-infected patients, which should be considered in HIV and syphilis co-infection patients without neurologic symptoms, especially in those with OS. Different patterns of NS might have different CSF features which may also vary with sero-TRUST titers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyan Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Yin-Zhong Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Ren-Fang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Tang-Kai Qi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Yang Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
| | - Hongzhou Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University
- Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai
- Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Maternal Syphilis: An Independent Risk Factor for Mother to Infant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission. Sex Transm Dis 2018; 44:371-375. [PMID: 28499289 PMCID: PMC5434955 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
A study of human immunodeficiency virus–infected pregnant women in India identified maternal syphilis co-infection as an independent risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus mother-to-child transmission by age 6 months with nearly 2.5-fold increased risk. Syphilis is associated with increased human immunodeficiency virus acquisition and sexual transmission; we examined impact on human immunodeficiency virus mother-to-child transmission among mother-infant pairs enrolled in the India Six-Week Extended-Dose Nevirapine study. Maternal syphilis, diagnosed serologically using Venereal Disease Research Laboratory titer plus Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay, was associated with 2.5-fold greater risk.
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Fujimoto K, Flash CA, Kuhns LM, Kim JY, Schneider JA. Social networks as drivers of syphilis and HIV infection among young men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect 2018; 94:365-371. [PMID: 29440465 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Syphilis and HIV epidemics overlap, yet little is known about combined network and behavioural factors that drive syphilis-HIV coinfection. Our study objective was to assess network contexts and sexual behaviours associated with syphilis-HIV co-infection and monoinfection among a particularly vulnerable subgroup: young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). To achieve this objective, we examined factors associated with coinfection by each subgroup as classified by syphilis-HIV infection status: (A) HIV monoinfected, (B) syphilis monoinfected and (C) neither syphilis infected nor HIV infected. In addition, we further identified the factors that are associated with HIV infection or syphilis monoinfection. METHODS Data were collected from a sample of 365 YBMSM, aged 16-29 years, recruited through respondent-driven sampling between 2014 and 2016, in two cities with large HIV epidemics: Houston, TX, and Chicago, IL. We conducted a series of multinomial logistic regression models to predict coinfection, HIV monoinfection and syphilis monoinfection as a function of network and sexual behavioural factors. RESULTS Coinfection was associated with having network members who are coinfected or HIV infected within one's social network. Syphilis monoinfection was associated with a higher number of social venues attended, and HIV monoinfection was associated with having more condomless top partners. CONCLUSION Public health interventions that address the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis infection and ensure that those with syphilis are being tested for HIV may be promising in limiting the synergy of syphilis-HIV infections in onward transmission. Advancing HIV and syphilis prevention efforts in high-prevalence networks may allow prioritisation of limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayo Fujimoto
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, US
| | - Charlene A Flash
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lisa M Kuhns
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ju-Yeong Kim
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, US
| | - John A Schneider
- Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Mattson CL, Bradley H, Beer L, Johnson C, Pearson WS, Shouse RL. Increased Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing Among Sexually Active Persons Receiving Medical Care for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in the United States, 2009-2013. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 64:629-634. [PMID: 27940947 PMCID: PMC5376234 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Current guidelines recommend that all sexually active human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons be tested at least annually for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. We examined temporal trends in syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea testing among sexually active HIV-infected adults receiving medical care in the United States during 2009-2013. Methods Using medical record data from the Medical Monitoring Project, a population-based HIV surveillance system, we assessed the proportion of adults receiving HIV medical care who were tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea in the past 12 months by year and stratified by sex and sexual behavior, age, and race/ethnicity. Results During 2009-2013, the proportion of sexually active HIV-infected adults receiving medical care who were tested in the past year for all 3 examined sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) increased from 20% to 36% (PTREND < .01). Overall testing for syphilis increased from 55% to 65% (PTREND < .01), and significant increases were noted for the following subgroups: men who have sex with men (58% to 69%), non-Hispanic whites (48% to 64%), and all age groups with the exception of persons aged 18-29 year. Overall testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea increased from 22% to 42% (PTREND < .01), and significant increases were noted for most subgroups. Conclusions STD testing significantly increased among sexually active HIV-infected adults receiving medical care; however, the majority of persons were not tested for all 3 STDs in 2013. While increased testing indicates progress, testing remained far below recommended guidelines. Our findings suggest enhanced efforts may be warranted to screen all sexually active HIV-infected adults for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L. Mattson
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Heather Bradley
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Linda Beer
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Christopher Johnson
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - William S. Pearson
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - R. Luke Shouse
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Ahn JY, Boettiger D, Kiertiburanakul S, Merati TP, Huy BV, Wong WW, Ditangco R, Lee MP, Oka S, Durier N, Choi JY. Incidence of syphilis seroconversion among HIV-infected persons in Asia: results from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database. J Int AIDS Soc 2016; 19:20965. [PMID: 27774955 PMCID: PMC5075717 DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.1.20965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Outbreaks of syphilis have been described among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in Western communities, whereas reports in Asian countries are limited. We aimed to characterize the incidence and temporal trends of syphilis among HIV-infected MSM compared with HIV-infected non-MSM in Asian countries. METHODS Patients enrolled in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database cohort and with a negative non-treponemal test since enrolment were analyzed. Incidence of syphilis seroconversion, defined as a positive non-treponemal test after previously testing negative, was evaluated among patients at sites performing non-treponemal tests at least annually. Factors associated with syphilis seroconversion were investigated at sites doing non-treponemal testing in all new patients and subsequently testing routinely or when patients were suspected of having syphilis. RESULTS We included 1010 patients from five sites that performed non-treponemal tests in all new patients; those included had negative non-treponemal test results during enrolment and subsequent follow-ups. Among them, 657 patients were from three sites conducting regular non-treponemal testing. The incidence of syphilis seroconversion was 5.38/100 person-years (PY). Incidence was higher in MSM than non-MSM (7.64/100 PY vs. 2.44/100 PY, p<0.001). Among MSM, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for every additional year from 2009 was 1.19 (p=0.051). MSM status (IRR 3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88-6.47), past syphilis diagnosis (IRR 5.15, 95% CI 3.69-7.17) and younger age (IRR 0.84 for every additional 10 years, 95% CI 0.706-0.997) were significantly associated with syphilis seroconversion. CONCLUSIONS We observed a higher incidence of syphilis seroconversion among HIV-infected MSM and a trend to increasing annual incidence. Regular screening for syphilis and targeted interventions to limit transmission are needed in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Young Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Tuti Parwati Merati
- Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University and Sanglah Hospital, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Bui Vu Huy
- National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Man Po Lee
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shinichi Oka
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nicolas Durier
- TREAT Asia, Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea;
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Rosa G, Procop GW, Schold JD, Piliang MP. Secondary syphilis in HIV positive individuals: correlation with histopathologic findings, CD4 counts, and quantity of treponemes in microscopic sections. J Cutan Pathol 2016; 43:847-51. [PMID: 27302386 DOI: 10.1111/cup.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although syphilis is uncommon, infection rates are much higher in HIV-infected individuals than the general population. A proposed explanation is impaired cellular immunity with HIV infection. METHODS A search of one institution yielded 10 patients with a diagnosis of secondary syphilis on skin biopsy, positive syphilis serology and available CD4 counts. We evaluated 11 biopsies from the 10 patients. We correlated the patients' CD4 counts with the histologic findings and with the number of treponemes on skin biopsies, highlighted by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We also compared the detection of spirochetes in silver stained sections (e.g. Warthin-Starry) with T. pallidum IHC. All biopsies were assessed for various histologic features. RESULTS The sensitivity of IHC to detect treponemes was 64% and of silver stain was 9% (p-value 0.04). The number of treponemes on the biopsies was determined by IHC. High numbers of spirochetes (i.e. >100 per 10 hpf) were only seen in patients with CD4 counts less than 250 cells/ml. CONCLUSION The most consistent histologic finding was a moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Although the study is small, it appears that a higher number of spirochetes is associated with CD4 counts less than 250 cell/ml. The T. pallidum IHC stain was vastly superior to the Warthin-Starry stain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Rosa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Gary W Procop
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jesse D Schold
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Melissa P Piliang
- Sections of the Departments of Dermatology and Anatomic Pathology, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Risky sexual networks and concentrated HIV epidemics among men who have sex with men in Wenzhou, China: a respondent-driven sampling study. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:1246. [PMID: 26673429 PMCID: PMC4682249 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2591-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The high and continually increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China underscores the critical importance of examining the exact sexual networks that result in HIV transmission, as well as HIV infection, using powerful sampling methods, such as respondent-driven sampling (RDS), to improve the sexual health of this population. Methods Using RDS, a cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China from December 2013 to June 2014. The type of sex, numbers of anal sex partners, male oral sex partners and vaginal sex partners, condom use during each type of sex over the previous 6 months, prevention behaviors, risk perception, and the burdens of HIV and syphilis were investigated and analyzed. Results Of 424 MSM, a great number of them did anal sex, male oral sex, and vaginal sex during the previous 6 months, and weighted estimates for the prevalence that MSM did not conduct these sexual behaviors were 11.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] =6.7–16.50 %), 20.3 % (95 % CI = 15.2–27.1 %), and 58.9 % (95 % CI = 52.1–65.8 %), respectively. Multiple sexual partners, engaging in regular, casual and commercial sex, and lack of condom use during all types of sex were common among MSM. The estimated HIV and syphilis prevalences were 22.8 % (95 % CI = 16.9–28.5 %) and 9.7 % (95 % CI = 6.4–13.6 %), respectively. Of the participants, 53.5 % (95 % CI = 45.3–60.2 %) received HIV-related interventions during the previous year, 48.1 % (95 % CI = 39.7–55.1 %) had never been tested for HIV, and only 14.1 % (95 % CI =10.1–19.2 %) perceived a risk of contracting HIV. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 44 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.60, 95 % CI = 1.34–9.64), a monthly income of 3001–4000 yuan (approximately 470–630 US$) (AOR = 1.96, 95 % CI = 1.67–3.60), multiple anal sex partners (AOR = 1.93, 95 % CI = 1.15–3.24), awareness of the possibility of contracting HIV (AOR = 3.18, 95 % CI = 1.56–6.48), and current syphilis infection (AOR = 3.01, 95 % CI = 1.44–6.29) were predictors of HIV infection. Conclusions HIV transmission has become highly prevalent and will likely become more prevalent among MSM and their female partners if these risky sexual networks persist. Our findings call for urgent and effective interventions to prevent the rapid transmission of HIV among MSM in Wenzhou. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2591-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Cingolani A, Zona S, Girardi E, Cozzi-Lepri A, Monno L, Quiros Roldan E, Guaraldi G, Antinori A, D’Arminio Monforte A, Marcotullio S. Incidence and factors associated with the risk of sexually transmitted diseases in HIV-infected people seen for care in Italy: data from the Icona Foundation cohort. HIV Med 2015; 16:412-20. [PMID: 25959419 PMCID: PMC4682467 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to identify temporal trends in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in a cohort of HIV-infected people and to evaluate factors associated with the risk of a new STD diagnosis. METHODS All HIV-infected patients in the Icona Foundation Study cohort enrolled after 1998 were included in this study. STD incidence rates (IRs) were calculated and stratified by calendar period. Predictors of STDs were identified using a Poisson regression model with sandwich estimates for standard errors. RESULTS Data for 9168 participants were analysed [median age 37.3 (range 18-81) years; 74% male; 30% men who have sex with men (MSM)]. Over 46 736 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), 996 episodes of STDs were observed [crude IR 21.3/1000 PYFU; 95% confidence interval (CI) 20.0-22.6/1000 PYFU]. In multivariable Poisson regression analysis, MSM [rate ratio (RR) 3.03; 95% CI 2.52-3.64 versus heterosexuals], calendar period (RR 1.67; 95% CI 1.42-1.97 for 2008-2012 versus 1998-2002), HIV RNA > 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.19-1.74 versus HIV RNA ≤ 50 copies/mL) and a current CD4 count < 100 cells/μL (RR 4.66; 95% CI 3.69-5.89; P < 0.001 versus CD4 count > 500 cells/μL) were associated with an increased risk of STDs. In contrast, older age (RR 0.82 per 10 years older; 95% CI 0.77-0.89) and being currently on ART (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.33-0.45) compared with being ART-naïve or on a treatment interruption were associated with a lower risk of developing STDs. CONCLUSIONS An increase in the incidence of STDs was observed in more recent years. Interventions to prevent STDs and potential spread of HIV should target the younger population, MSM and people currently not receiving ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cingolani
- Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Catholic UniversityRome, Italy
| | - S Zona
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Univeristy of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModena, Italy
| | - E Girardi
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘L. Spallanzani’Rome, Italy
| | - A Cozzi-Lepri
- Department of Infection and Population Health, Division of Population Health, University College London Medical School, Royal Free CampusLondon, UK
| | - L Monno
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of BariBari, Italy
| | - E Quiros Roldan
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of BresciaBrescia, Italy
| | - G Guaraldi
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Univeristy of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModena, Italy
| | - A Antinori
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘L. Spallanzani’Rome, Italy
| | - A D’Arminio Monforte
- Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo University HospitalMilan, Italy
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Kotsafti O, Paparizos V, Kourkounti S, Chatziioannou A, Nicolaidou E, Kapsimali V, Antoniou C. Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection. Int J STD AIDS 2015; 27:739-45. [PMID: 26113517 DOI: 10.1177/0956462415592326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate if early syphilis infection affects markers of HIV infection; CD4 T cells and viral load (VL). A retrospective study was performed on 160 HIV-positive patients (111 receiving antiretroviral therapy [ART] and 49 without ART). Early syphilis diagnosis was made in HIV patients during their follow-up at the HIV/AIDS Unit at a Greek Dermatology and Venereology Unit. The patients' blood tests were available at the time of diagnosis, as well as before and 12 weeks after early syphilis diagnosis. CD4 T cell counts and VL levels were measured. It was found that syphilis infection had a negative impact on the CD4 T cell counts in both groups, with reduced CD4 T cell counts observed in 84.6% (99/111) and 79.5% (39/49) of patients receiving and not receiving ART, respectively. After treatment for syphilis, CD4 T cell counts returned to pre-treatment levels in most patients, especially those receiving ART. There was a slight and transient VL increase. Patients receiving ART had a 27% increase in VL, compared to 71.4% among patients not receiving ART. Although the VL increase was slight (41-14,000 copies/ml) in the group under treatment, 4-5% (5/111) patients did not return to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, viral mutations associated with treatment resistance were identified in these patients. Early syphilis accelerates and complicates the progression of HIV infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis may prevent infection-associated complications in most instances. Consequently, prevention of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is of great importance for patients infected with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania Kotsafti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilios Paparizos
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Kourkounti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Argiro Chatziioannou
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Electra Nicolaidou
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Violetta Kapsimali
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Antoniou
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
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Tsai HC, Ye SY, Lee SSJ, Wann SR, Chen YS. Expression of CXCL2 in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV and syphilis or neurosyphilis. Inflammation 2015; 37:950-5. [PMID: 24419746 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-014-9815-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The potential mechanisms for blood-brain barrier damage and the diagnosis of neurosyphilis in HIV patients co-infected with syphilis (HIV-S) are unclear. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of CXCL2 in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of HIV-S patients. A total of 34 HIV patients and 7 controls were enrolled in a HIV clinical cohort for diagnosis of neurosyphilis in Taiwan. Serum and CSF concentrations of CXCL2 were determined by ELISA. Neurosyphilis was defined as a CSF white blood cell count of ≧20 cells/μl or a reactive CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL). Demographics and medical histories were collected. All the patients with HIV-S were males. Most (80%) had sex with men (MSM) and serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers of ≧1:32. The medium age was 37 (range 21-68) years. The medium CD4 T cell counts at the time of the diagnosis of syphilis were 299 (range 92-434) cells/μl. Eight patients (24%) had neurosyphilis based on a reactive CSF VDRL test (n = 5) or increased CSF white blood cell counts of ≧20 cells/μl (n = 3). The concentrations of CSF CXCL2 were significantly higher in patients with HIV and neurosyphilis as compared to HIV with syphilis, HIV, and controls (p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in serum concentrations between the four groups. There was a correlation between CSF CXCL2 concentrations with neurosyphilis (p = 0.017), CSF white blood cell count (p = 0.001), and CSF protein levels (p = 0.005). The CSF level of CXCL2 can be used to distinguish those with or without neurosyphilis in HIV infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chin Tsai
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, #386 Ta-Chung 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 813, Taiwan, Republic of China,
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Changes in HIV RNA and CD4 cell count after acute HCV infection in chronically HIV-infected individuals. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2015; 68:536-42. [PMID: 25559595 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little is known about the impact of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection on HIV-1 disease progression. We investigated CD4 cell count and HIV RNA concentration changes after HCV infection in individuals chronically infected with HIV-1. METHODS We selected individuals that had the last negative and first positive HCV RNA test less than 1 year apart. Bivariate linear mixed-effects regression was used to model trends in HIV RNA level and CD4 cell count from 2 years before the last negative HCV RNA test until the first of the following dates: start of anti-HCV medication, change in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) status, and end of follow-up. RESULTS At the estimated time of HCV co-infection, of 89 individuals, 63 (71%) were cART-treated and 26 (29%) were not on cART. In persons on cART, median CD4 cell count declined from 587 to 508 cells per cubic millimeter (P < 0.0001) during the first 5 months after HCV infection and returned to 587 cells per cubic millimeter after 2.2 years. Also, the probability of an HIV RNA >50 copies per milliliter peaked to 18.6% at HCV co-infection, with lower probabilities 6 months before (3.5%, P = 0.006 compared with peak probability) and after (2.9%, P = 0.009). In persons not on cART, no significant impact of HCV co-infection on trends in the HIV RNA level or CD4 cell count was observed. CONCLUSIONS Acute HCV infection in cART-treated, chronically HIV-infected patients was associated with a temporary decrease in CD4 cell counts and increased risk of HIV viremia >50 copies per milliliter. This may increase the risk of further HIV transmission.
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Malek R, Mitchell H, Furegato M, Simms I, Mohammed H, Nardone A, Hughes G. Contribution of transmission in HIV-positive men who have sex with men to evolving epidemics of sexually transmitted infections in England: an analysis using multiple data sources, 2009-2013. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 20. [PMID: 25953130 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.15.21093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
HIV seroadaptive behaviours may have contributed to greater sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission in HIV-positive men who have sex with men(MSM) and to the global increase in STIs. Using multiple national surveillance data sources and population survey data, we estimated the risk of STIs in HIV-positive MSM and assessed whether transmission in HIV-positive MSM has contributed to recent STI epidemics in England. Since 2009, an increasing proportion of STIs has been diagnosed in HIV-positive MSM, and currently, the population rate of acute bacterial STIs is up to four times that of HIV-negative or undiagnosed MSM. Almost one in five of all diagnosed HIV-positive MSM in England had an acute STI diagnosed in 2013. From 2009 to 2013, the odds of being diagnosed with syphilis increased from 2.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.41–3.05, p<0.001) to 4.05 (95%CI 3.70-4.45, p<0.001) in HIV-positive relative to HIV negative/undiagnosed MSM. Similar trends were seen for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Bacterial STI re-infection rates were considerably higher in HIV-positive MSM over a five-year follow-up period, indicative of rapid transmission in more dense sexual networks.These findings strongly suggest that the sexual health of HIV-positive MSM in England is worsening, which merits augmented public health interventions and continued monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Malek
- Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
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Huang S, Tang W, Zhu Z, Lu H, Tan X, Zhang B, Best J, Yang L, Zheng H, Jiang N, Yin Y, Yang B, Chen X. Higher prevalence of sexual transmitted diseases and correlates of genital warts among heterosexual males attending sexually transmitted infection clinics (MSCs) in Jiangmen, China: implication for the up-taking of STD related service. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121814. [PMID: 25811185 PMCID: PMC4374714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing burden of STDs is one of China’s major public health concerns. However, only a limited number of studies have ever investigated the prevalence of these STDs, particular for genital warts and its correlates among heterosexual males attending STD clinics in China. In order to fill this gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study among MSCs in Jiangmen, China, between the years of 2009 and 2010. Method The eligible participants were recruited from several STD-clinics in public hospitals. We collected demographic information and behaviors of the participants. After HIV and syphilis testing, we further checked whether the participants had genital warts and genital herpes. In addition, urine samples were collected from part of the participants for CT and NG testing. Results Of the 533 eligible participants, over three-fifths were aged 35 or below, nearly three quarters had no college degree, over three-fifths were residence of Jiangmen. The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, genital warts, genital herpes, CT and NG were 0.19%, 7.50%, 7.32%, 5.25%, 9.73% and 6.19%, respectively. Living with family members (versus living alone), no STD-related service in past year, experiencing STDs related symptoms in past year, and sex with FSWs in last three months were positively associated with genital warts, with adjusted ORs of 5.54 (95% CI 1.94–15.81), 2.26 (95% CI 1.08–4.74), 1.99 (95% CI 1.00–3.99) and 2.01 (95% CI 1.00–4.04), respectively. Conclusion Our study indicates that the prevalence of STDs among MSCs in Jiangmen was high, which may further spread HIV among MSCs. Targeted interventions that focused on STDs related services uptake should be implemented urgently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and STI Control, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and STI Control, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- University of North Carolina Project-China, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Zhengjun Zhu
- Jiangmen Dermatology Hospital, No. 62 Yuejin Road, Jiangmen, 529000, China
| | - Hekun Lu
- Jiangmen Dermatology Hospital, No. 62 Yuejin Road, Jiangmen, 529000, China
| | - Xueling Tan
- Jiangmen Dermatology Hospital, No. 62 Yuejin Road, Jiangmen, 529000, China
| | - Baoyuan Zhang
- Jiangmen Dermatology Hospital, No. 62 Yuejin Road, Jiangmen, 529000, China
| | - John Best
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States of America
| | - Ligang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and STI Control, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Heping Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and STI Control, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- National Center for STD Control, China CDC. No. 12, Jiangwangmiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210000, China
| | - Yueping Yin
- National Center for STD Control, China CDC. No. 12, Jiangwangmiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210000, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and STI Control, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- * E-mail: (BY); (XC)
| | - Xiangsheng Chen
- National Center for STD Control, China CDC. No. 12, Jiangwangmiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210000, China
- * E-mail: (BY); (XC)
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Rowley D, Swięcki P, Firlag-Burkacka E, Sabin C, Kümmerle T, Surah S, Sadlier C, O'Dea S, Horban A, Fätkenheuer G, Mulcahy F. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with early syphilis from three academic centres in Poland, Germany and Ireland: initial findings from the POETS study. Sex Transm Infect 2015; 91:389-94. [PMID: 25742696 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2014-051844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Syphilis recognition in HIV-positive patients has important implications. Initial data from this study, established in June 2012 to better understand the natural history of syphilis and treatment response, examine the characteristics of patients including sexual behaviour, rates of concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STI) and type of treatment given. METHODS Patients were recruited from Ireland, Poland and Germany. Data gathered included demographics, method of syphilis acquisition, stage of syphilis infection, HIV status, nadir and current CD4 counts and HIV viral suppression rates. Data were then subanalysed into HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups. RESULTS Of 175 patients recruited, 68% were HIV-positive and 86.3% were men who have sex with men. Most HIV-positive patients presented with secondary syphilis (55.7% vs 13.2%) (p=0.0001) while the majority of HIV-negative patients had primary syphilis noted at the time of recruitment (47.2% vs18.9%, p=0.0002). Approximately half of all patients had a HIV RNA viral load <40 copies/mL (55%). Previous syphilis infection occurred more frequently in HIV-positive than HIV-negative patients (p=0.0001). Concurrent STIs at the time of syphilis diagnosis were found in 26.8%, of whom 31 (25.4%) were HIV-positive (p=0.64). HIV-positive patients received doxycycline more frequently than their HIV-negative counterparts (33.6% vs 1.9%, p=0.0001) while HIV-negative patients were treated with long-acting penicillin in 88.7% of cases vs 58% of HIV-positive patients (p=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS A 40% rate of unsuppressed viraemia, high levels of STIs and varying treatment regimens represent a public health risk for Europe, suggesting the model of sexual healthcare delivery in HIV-positive patients requires further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rowley
- The GUIDE (genitourinary and infectious disease) Clinic, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Swięcki
- The Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - C Sabin
- University College London, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill street, London, United Kingdom
| | - T Kümmerle
- Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Klinische Infektiologie, Uniklinik, Köln, Germany
| | - S Surah
- The GUIDE (genitourinary and infectious disease) Clinic, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Sadlier
- The GUIDE (genitourinary and infectious disease) Clinic, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S O'Dea
- The GUIDE (genitourinary and infectious disease) Clinic, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Horban
- The Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - G Fätkenheuer
- Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Klinische Infektiologie, Uniklinik, Köln, Germany German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - F Mulcahy
- The GUIDE (genitourinary and infectious disease) Clinic, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Yeganeh N, Watts HD, Camarca M, Soares G, Joao E, Pilotto JH, Gray G, Theron G, Santos B, Fonseca R, Kreitchmann R, Pinto J, Mussi-Pinhata M, Ceriotto M, Machado DM, Veloso VG, Grinzstejn B, Morgado MG, Bryson Y, Mofenson LM, Nielsen-Saines K. Syphilis in HIV-infected mothers and infants: results from the NICHD/HPTN 040 study. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2015; 34:e52-7. [PMID: 25742089 PMCID: PMC4352722 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Untreated syphilis during pregnancy is associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, prematurity and infant mortality. Syphilis may facilitate HIV transmission, which is especially concerning in low- and middle-income countries where both diseases are common. METHODS We performed an analysis of data available from NICHD/HPTN 040 (P1043), a study focused on the prevention of intrapartum HIV transmission to 1684 infants born to 1664 untreated HIV-infected women. This analysis evaluates risk factors and outcomes associated with a syphilis diagnosis in this cohort of HIV-infected women and their infants. RESULTS Approximately, 10% of women (n=171) enrolled had serological evidence of syphilis without adequate treatment documented and 1.4% infants (n=24) were dually HIV and syphilis infected. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that compared with HIV-infected women, co-infected women were significantly more likely to self-identify as non-white (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5-4.2), to consume alcohol during pregnancy (AOR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1) and to transmit HIV to their infants (AOR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.4), with 88% of HIV infections being acquired in utero. As compared with HIV-infected or HIV-exposed infants, co-infected infants were significantly more likely to be born to mothers with venereal disease research laboratory titers≥1:16 (AOR 3, 95% CI: 1.1-8.2) and higher viral loads (AOR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9). Of 6 newborns with symptomatic syphilis, 2 expired shortly after birth, and 2 were HIV-infected. CONCLUSION Syphilis continues to be a common co-infection in HIV-infected women and can facilitate in utero transmission of HIV to infants. Most infants are asymptomatic at birth, but those with symptoms have high mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nava Yeganeh
- David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Heather D. Watts
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | | | | | - Esau Joao
- Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Henrique Pilotto
- Hospital Geral de Nova Iguaçu, Nova Iguaçu and Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glenda Gray
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand/Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gerhard Theron
- Stellenbosch University/Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Jorge Pinto
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Ceriotto
- Foundation for Maternal and Infant Health (FUNDASAMIN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daisy Maria Machado
- Escola Paulista de Medicine-Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdilea G. Veloso
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em DST e AIDS - Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Grinzstejn
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em DST e AIDS - Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariza G Morgado
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em DST e AIDS - Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yvonne Bryson
- David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lynne M. Mofenson
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE The incidence of syphilis in the United States is increasing; it is estimated that more than 55,000 new infections will occur in 2014. Treatment regimens are controversial, especially in specific populations, and assessing treatment response based on serology remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE To review evidence regarding penicillin and nonpenicillin regimens, implications of the "serofast state," and treatment of specific populations including those with neurosyphilis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and pregnant women. EVIDENCE REVIEW We searched MEDLINE for English-language human treatment studies dating from January 1965 until July 2014. The American Heart Association classification system was used to rate quality of evidence. FINDINGS We included 102 articles in our review, consisting of randomized trials, meta-analyses, and cohort studies. Case reports and small series were excluded unless they were the only studies providing evidence for a specific treatment strategy. We included 11 randomized trials. Evidence regarding penicillin and nonpenicillin regimens was reviewed from studies involving 11,102 patients. Data on the treatment of early syphilis support the use of a single intramuscular injection of 2.4 million U of benzathine penicillin G, with studies reporting 90% to 100% treatment success rates. The value of multiple-dose treatment of early syphilis is uncertain, especially in HIV-infected individuals. Less evidence is available regarding therapy for late and late latent syphilis. Following treatment, nontreponemal serologic titers should decline in a stable pattern, but a significant proportion of patients may remain seropositive (the "serofast state"). Serologic response to treatment should be evident by 6 months in early syphilis but is generally slower (12-24 months) for latent syphilis. Evidence defining treatment for HIV-infected persons and for pregnant women is limited, but available data support penicillin as first-line therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The mainstay of syphilis treatment is parenteral penicillin G despite the relatively modest clinical trial data that support its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E Clement
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - N Lance Okeke
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Charles B Hicks
- Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Diego
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Prevalence and associated factors for HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance in voluntary clients for counseling and testing in Southern Taiwan. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2014; 49:487-93. [PMID: 25315212 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organization, HIV-transmitted drug resistance (TDR) is increasing. We analyzed voluntary counseling test data from a hospital in Southern Taiwan to investigate the TDR pattern in Southern Taiwan, the potential relationship between sexual behavior and HIV transmission, and HIV drug-resistant strain transmission. METHODS Genotypic resistance assays were performed on treatment-naïve HIV patients recruited from voluntary counseling testing (VCT) in Southern Taiwan from 2007 to 2011. Drug resistance-associated mutations were interpreted with Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database HIVdb program. Socio-demographics and sexual activity were recorded from the VCT questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for TDR, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to elucidate the pattern of HIV drug-resistant strains. RESULTS Among the 161 treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients, most were men who reported having sex with men. The overall TDR rate was 10.6%. Patients with a history of sexually transmitted diseases had a 7.8-fold higher risk of becoming infected with genotypic resistant strains. CONCLUSION In Southern Taiwan, the HIV TDR rate was 10.6% among those receiving VCT. Our findings suggest that sexual behavior may play an important role in HIV drug-resistant strain transmission.
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Spornraft-Ragaller P, Schmitt J, Stephan V, Boashie U, Beissert S. Charakteristika und Koinfektionen mit Syphilis bei neu mit HIV diagnostizierten Patienten aus dem Universitätsklinikum Dresden von 1987-2012. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2014; 12:707-716. [DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12382_suppl] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Spornraft-Ragaller
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Jochen Schmitt
- Zentrum für Evidenzbasierte Gesundheitsversorgung, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Victoria Stephan
- Zentrum für Evidenzbasierte Gesundheitsversorgung, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Ute Boashie
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Stefan Beissert
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
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Spornraft-Ragaller P, Schmitt J, Stephan V, Boashie U, Beissert S. Characteristics and coinfection with syphilis in newly HIV-infected patients at the University Hospital Dresden 1987-2012. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2014; 12:707-16. [PMID: 24941863 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Germany, notification data cannot be used to determine HIV and syphilis coinfection. No regional cohort has been studied for this in Eastern Germany. The rising incidence of syphilis from 2010 to 2012, predominantly in men having sex with men (MSM), has been suggested as a cause for recent increases in HIV infection rates in this group. PATIENTS AND METHODS Characteristics of 355 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection at the University Hospital Dresden 1987-2012 were retrospectively compared to German surveillance data from the region of Dresden. Additionally, coinfection with syphilis was determined. RESULTS Compared to German surveillance data, we observed higher proportions of persons originating from high prevalence countries and of AIDS cases. In the age group of up to 25 years, the proportion of MSM has risen 3-fold since 2001. At time of HIV diagnosis, seroprevalence of syphilis was 20.3 %. Active syphilis (VDRL ≥ 1: 8) occurred in 6.7 % of patients, predominantly MSM, who also exhibited a significantly higher HIV viral load. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a causative relationship between recently rising incidences of syphilis and HIV infection in MSM. Early diagnosis of syphilis may promote earlier diagnosis of HIV infection; therefore, HIV prevention measures should also include other sexually transmitted infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Spornraft-Ragaller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Germany
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Liu XY, Hao C, Jiang H, Sun L, Zhou JB, Yin YP, Tang W, Jiang N, Mahapatra T, Mahapatra S, Chen XS, Yang HT, Fu GF, Huan XP. Syphilis and its correlates among heterosexual males attending sexually transmitted infection clinics - observation from a multicity cohort in Jiangsu Province, China. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95289. [PMID: 24743839 PMCID: PMC3990697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To estimate the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, incidence of syphilis and to identify the correlates of syphilis infection among heterosexual male attendees of sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics (MSC). Methods A cohort study of one-year duration was conducted in Yangzhou and Changzhou cities in Jiangsu province of China. The baseline survey commenced in June 2009, recruited 1225 consenting adult MSCs (609 in Yangzhou and 617 in Changzhou) through STI-clinic based convenience sampling. Results Baseline HIV and syphilis prevalence were 0.49% and 17.29% respectively. Syphilis incidence rate was 7.22 per 100 person-years (6.53 in Yangzhou and 7.76 in Changzhou) during the 6-month follow-up with retention fractions of 27.38% and 35.15% for Yangzhou and Changzhou respectively. Majority of the participants were middle-aged, high school educated, married, living with partners and non-migrants. Very few subjects reported recent and consistent condom-use with regular partners. Although considerable number of MSCs reported recent sexual exposure with female sex workers (FSW) and non-FSW casual partners, the proportion of reported condom use was very low during those exposures. In multivariate analyses higher age, having recent sex with FSWs and being HIV-positive were associated with higher syphilis sero-positivity while higher education was protective. In bivariate analyses, being married, divorced/widowed, official residency of the study cities and non-use of condom with regular partners predicted higher risk. Conclusions Considering the potential bridging role of MSCs between high and low-risk populations, effective intervention strategies among them targeting the correlates of syphilis infection are urgently called for in Jiangsu province of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Hao
- Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Yangzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Yangzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian-Bo Zhou
- Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue-Ping Yin
- National Center for STDs Control, China CDC, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ning Jiang
- National Center for STDs Control, China CDC, Nanjing, China
| | - Tanmay Mahapatra
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Sanchita Mahapatra
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Hai-Tao Yang
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Geng-Feng Fu
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi-Ping Huan
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
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Syphilis, Hepatitis, and Pancreatitis: Is the Uncommon Becoming Common in the HIV(+) Patient? Case Rep Infect Dis 2013; 2013:293823. [PMID: 24383017 PMCID: PMC3872017 DOI: 10.1155/2013/293823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis has been occurring at increasing rates, with the greatest increases being seen among men who have sex with men. Secondary syphilis rarely presents with liver disease, and the diagnosis may be overlooked in favor of more common causes of liver injury in this setting, such as viral hepatitis, antiretroviral therapy, alcohol use, and opportunistic infections. Case Presentation. We describe a 43-year-old patient with HIV who presented with symptoms suggesting acute pancreatitis. Investigation led to a diagnosis of hepatitis and pancreatitis, both attributed to syphilis. Conclusion. Syphilis should be included as part of the initial diagnosis among patients with HIV presenting with abnormal liver and pancreatic enzymes.
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He H, Wang M, Zaller N, Wang J, Song D, Qu Y, Sui X, Dong Z, Operario D, Zhang H. Prevalence of syphilis infection and associations with sexual risk behaviours among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China. Int J STD AIDS 2013; 25:410-9. [DOI: 10.1177/0956462413512804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to understand the prevalence and correlates of syphilis infection among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China. A total of 200 HIV-positive MSM participants were recruited using “snowball” sampling. Participants were tested for syphilis and completed a one-time questionnaire which included demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours with male and female sexual partners, substance use, and use of antiretroviral medications. Prevalence of syphilis infection was 16.5%. Among HIV/syphilis co-infected participants, 63.6% reported having anal sex with male partners and 24.2% did not use condoms consistently during the past six months; 66.7% reported having oral sex with male partners and 51.5% reported unprotected oral sex during the past six months. Factors associated with testing seropositive for syphilis infection included receptive anal sex with a male partner in the past six months (AOR = 12.61, 90% CI = 2.38–66.89), illicit drug use in the past six months (AOR = 11.47, 90% CI = 2.47–53.45), and use of antiretroviral medication (AOR = 4.48, 90% CI = 1.43–14.05). These data indicate a need for “positive prevention” interventions targeting HIV-positive MSM in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Nickolas Zaller
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Dandan Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Yuhuang Qu
- Beautiful Life Health Promotion Center, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xin Sui
- Beautiful Life Health Promotion Center, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhengxin Dong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Don Operario
- Program in Public Health, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
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Cheng YJ, Tsai HC, Ye SY, Sy CL, Wu KS, Chen JK, Lee SSJ, Chen YS. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid nitrite level in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with neurosyphilis. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2013; 47:512-7. [PMID: 24064284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis coinfection is a common phenomenon. A percentage of neurosyphilis cases is asymptomatic in HIV-infected patients. The diagnosis of neurosyphilis is more difficult because of the alteration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) presentation by the HIV itself. The CSF levels of the degradation products of nitric oxide (NO; e.g., nitrate and nitrite) are reportedly elevated in animals and patients with bacterial meningitis. We hypothesized that an elevated CSF nitrite concentration may be present in patients coinfected with HIV and neurosyphilis. METHODS This cohort study was conducted from January 2007 to June 2008. Forty patients were enrolled and included seven patients in the control group and 33 HIV-infected patients with or without syphilis. Nitrite levels in the serum and the CSF were measured by using the Griess assay. RESULTS The CSF nitrite levels were significantly higher in HIV-infected patients with neurosyphilis, compared to the control group or patients with HIV infection only or patients with HIV and syphilis coinfection (p = 0.026). The CSF nitrite levels were correlated with the CSF white blood cell counts (Spearman correlation test, r(2) = 0.324; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between different groups in serum nitrite levels. CONCLUSION Marked elevation of CSF nitrite level was observed in HIV-infected patients with neurosyphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jung Cheng
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chin Tsai
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yu Ye
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Len Sy
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Sheng Wu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Kuang Chen
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Susan Shin-Jung Lee
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Shen Chen
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Science Education and Environmental Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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The Role of Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-1 Progression: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. JOURNAL OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES 2013; 2013:176459. [PMID: 26316953 PMCID: PMC4437436 DOI: 10.1155/2013/176459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Due to shared routes of infection, HIV-infected persons are frequently coinfected with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Studies have demonstrated the bidirectional relationships between HIV and several STIs, including herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), hepatitis B and C viruses, human papilloma virus, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas. HIV-1 may affect the clinical presentation, treatment outcome, and progression of STIs, such as syphilis, HSV-2, and hepatitis B and C viruses. Likewise, the presence of an STI may increase both genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, enhancing the transmissibility of HIV-1, with important public health implications. Regarding the effect of STIs on HIV-1 progression, the most studied interrelationship has been with HIV-1/HSV-2 coinfection, with recent studies showing that antiherpetic medications slow the time to CD4 <200 cells/µL and antiretroviral therapy among coinfected patients. The impact of other chronic STIs (hepatitis B and C) on HIV-1 progression requires further study, but some studies have shown increased mortality rates. Treatable, nonchronic STIs (i.e., syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas) typically have no or transient impacts on plasma HIV RNA levels that resolve with antimicrobial therapy; no long-term effects on outcomes have been shown. Future studies are advocated to continue investigating the complex interplay between HIV-1 and other STIs.
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