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Lyu Y, Choong A, Chow EPF, Seib KL, Marshall HS, Unemo M, de Voux A, Wang B, Miranda AE, Gottlieb SL, Mello MB, Wi T, Baggaley R, Marshall C, Abu-Raddad LJ, Abara WE, Chen XS, Ong JJ. Vaccine value profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Vaccine 2024; 42:S42-S69. [PMID: 38123397 PMCID: PMC11169088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.053] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (gonorrhoea) is a global public health challenge, causing substantial sexual and reproductive health consequences, such as infertility, pregnancy complications and increased acquisition or transmission of HIV. There is an urgency to controlling gonorrhoea because of increasing antimicrobial resistance to ceftriaxone, the last remaining treatment option, and the potential for gonorrhoea to become untreatable. No licensed gonococcal vaccine is available. Mounting observational evidence suggests that N. meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicle-based vaccines may induce cross-protection against N. gonorrhoeae (estimated 30%-40% effectiveness using the 4CMenB vaccine). Clinical trials to determine the efficacy of the 4CMenB vaccine against N. gonorrhoeae are underway, as are Phase 1/2 studies of a new gonococcal-specific vaccine candidate. Ultimately, a gonococcal vaccine must be accessible, affordable and equitably dispensed, given that those most affected by gonorrhoea are also those who may be most disadvantaged in our societies, and most cases are in less-resourced settings. This vaccine value profile (VVP) provides a high level, holistic assessment of the current data to inform the potential public health, economic and societal value of pipeline vaccines. This was developed by a working group of subject matter experts from academia, non-profit organizations, public private partnerships and multi-lateral organizations. All contributors have extensive expertise on various elements of the N. gonorrhoeae VVP and collectively aimed to identify current research and knowledge gaps. The VVP was developed using published data obtained from peer-reviewed journals or reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Lyu
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Annabelle Choong
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, 580 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia.
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia.
| | - Helen S Marshall
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO CC for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
| | - Alex de Voux
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Bing Wang
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Angelica E Miranda
- Department of Social Medicine, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514 - Goiabeiras, Vitória - ES 29075-910, Brazil.
| | - Sami L Gottlieb
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Maeve B Mello
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Teodora Wi
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Caroline Marshall
- Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Box 24144, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Winston E Abara
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- National Center for STD Control of China CDC, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing 210042, China.
| | - Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
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Zuniga JM, Prachniak C, Policek N, Magula N, Gandhi A, Anderson J, Diallo DD, Lima VD, Ravishankar S, Acharya S, Achrekar A, Adeleke M, Aïna É, Baptiste S, Barrow G, Begovac J, Bukusi E, Castel A, Castellanos E, Cestou J, Chirambo G, Crowley J, Dedes N, Ditiu L, Doherty M, Duncombe C, Durán A, Futterman D, Hader S, Kounkeu C, Lawless F, Lazarus JV, Lex S, Lobos C, Mayer K, Mejia M, Moheno HR, d'Arminio Monforte A, Morán-Arribas M, Nagel D, Ndugwa R, Ngunu C, Poonkasetwattana M, Prins M, Quesada A, Rudnieva O, Ruth S, Saavedra J, Toma L, Wanjiku Njenga L, Williams B. IAPAC-Lancet HIV Commission on the future of urban HIV responses. Lancet HIV 2024:S2352-3018(24)00124-3. [PMID: 39043198 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00124-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- José M Zuniga
- International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, Washington, DC, USA; Fast-Track Cities Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Anisha Gandhi
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Solange Baptiste
- International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Jorge Cestou
- Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Meg Doherty
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chris Duncombe
- International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Adriana Durán
- Ministry of Health, City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Chyrol Kounkeu
- Cameroonian Association for the Development and Empowerment of Vulnerable People, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Fran Lawless
- Mayor's Office of Health Policy, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Policy, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Kenneth Mayer
- Fenway Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carol Ngunu
- Nairobi City County Department of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Maria Prins
- Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Amara Quesada
- Action for Health Initiatives, Quezon City, Philippines
| | | | - Simon Ruth
- Thorne Harbour Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Lance Toma
- San Francisco Community Health Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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3
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Tuan J, Goheen MM, Trebelcock W, Dunne D. Sexually Transmitted Infections in People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2024:S0891-5520(24)00031-X. [PMID: 38871569 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more commonly seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Routine sexual history taking and appropriate multisite screening practices support prompt identification and treatment of patients, which in turn reduces morbidity and spread of STIs including HIV. Nucleic acid amplification testing has high accuracy for diagnosing many of the major STIs. Diagnosis of syphilis remains complex, requiring 2 stage serologic testing, along with provider awareness of the myriad symptoms that can be attributable to this disease. Prevention through mechanisms such as vaccines and postexposure prophylaxis hold promise to reduce the burden of STIs in PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Tuan
- Department of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Morgan M Goheen
- Department of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Dana Dunne
- Department of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Lukumay GG, Mushy SE, Mgopa LR, Mkoka DA, Massae AF, Mwakawanga DL, Rosser BRS, Kohli N, Rohloff CT, Ross MW, Trent M. Healthcare professional students' skills in sexual health communication and history taking: inter-rater reliability of standardized patients and faculty ratings in dar es Salaam, tanzania- a cross-sectional study. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:627. [PMID: 38840085 PMCID: PMC11155028 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05607-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low- and middle-income countries face a disproportionate impact of sexual health problems compared to high-income countries. To address this situation proper interpersonal communication skills are essential for clinician to gather necessary information during medical history-taking related to sexual health. This study aimed to evaluate the interrater reliability of ratings on sexual health-related interpersonal communication and medical history-taking between SPs and trained HCP faculty for health care professional students. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study to evaluate the interrater reliability of ratings for sexual health-related interpersonal communication and medical history-taking. The data were collected from medical and nursing students at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, who interviewed 12 Standardized Patients (SPs) presenting with sexual health issues. The video-recorded interviews rated by SPs, were compared to the one rated by 5 trained Health Care Professional (HCP) faculty members. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated using percent agreement (PA) and kappa statistics (κ). RESULTS A total of 412 students (mean age 24) were enrolled in the study to conduct interviews with two SPs presenting with sexual health concerns. For interpersonal communication (IC), the overall median agreement between raters was slight (κ2 0.0095; PA 48.9%) while the overall median agreement for medical sexual history-taking was deemed fair (κ2 0.139; PA 75.02%). CONCLUSION The use of SPs for training and evaluating medical and nursing students in Tanzania is feasible only if they undergo proper training and have sufficient time for practice sessions, along with providing feedback to the students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gift G Lukumay
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Stella Emmanuel Mushy
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Lucy R Mgopa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Dickson Ally Mkoka
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Agnes F Massae
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Dorkasi L Mwakawanga
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - B R Simon Rosser
- University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Nidhi Kohli
- University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Corissa T Rohloff
- University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Michael W Ross
- University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Maria Trent
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 200 N. Wolfe Street, #2056, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
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Awuoche HC, Joseph RH, Magut F, Khagayi S, Odongo FS, Otieno M, Appolonia A, Odoyo-June E, Kwaro DO. Prevalence and risk factors of sexually transmitted infections in the setting of a generalized HIV epidemic-a population-based study, western Kenya. Int J STD AIDS 2024; 35:418-429. [PMID: 38240604 PMCID: PMC11047016 DOI: 10.1177/09564624241226487] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause adverse health outcomes, including increasing HIV acquisition/transmission risk. We analyzed data from an HIV biomarker and behavioral survey to estimate STI prevalence, and explore associated factors in the setting of a generalized HIV epidemic in Siaya County, western Kenya. METHODS Data were collected in March-September 2022 through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires; records from 9643 sexually active participants aged 13+ years were included in the analysis. We calculated weighted self-reported STI prevalence, by sex, age, and HIV status and explored associated factors using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Median age was 37 years and 59.9% were female; HIV prevalence was 18.0%. Overall STI prevalence was 1.8%; 1.5-fold higher among males vs. females, and 2.6-fold higher among participants living with HIV vs. those without. HIV status and multiple sexual partners were independently associated with STI in both sexes. Mind-altering substance use and being circumcised were associated with STI among males. CONCLUSIONS This study estimates STI prevalence in the setting of high HIV prevalence. Findings underscore the importance of: effective STI screening in HIV clinics and HIV testing and counseling in STI clinics; screening and counseling on substance use, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis; and intensive sexual health counseling in male circumcision programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Carolyne Awuoche
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI-CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Rachael H Joseph
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Faith Magut
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI-CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sammy Khagayi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI-CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Fredrick S Odongo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI-CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Moses Otieno
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI-CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Aoko Appolonia
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elijah Odoyo-June
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel O Kwaro
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI-CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
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6
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Reyes Nieva H, Jason Z, Tucker E, Castor D, Yin MT, Gordon P, Elhadad N. Enabling a Learning Public Health System:Enhanced Surveillance of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.10.24305612. [PMID: 38645158 PMCID: PMC11030475 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.24305612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose a substantial public health challenge in the United States (US). Surveillance, a cornerstone of disease control and prevention, can be strengthened to promote more timely, efficient, and equitable practices by incorporating health information exchange (HIE) and other large-scale health data sources into reporting. New York City patient-level electronic health record data between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2023 were obtained from Healthix, the largest US public HIE. Healthix data were linked to neighborhood-level information from the American Community Survey. In this casecontrol study, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV-positive cases were compared to controls to estimate the odds of receiving a specific laboratory test or positive result using generalized estimating equations with logit function and robust standard errors. Among 1,519,121 tests performed for chlamydia, 1,574,772 for gonorrhea, and 1,200,560 for HIV, 2%, 0.6% and 0.3% were positive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV, respectively. Chlamydia and gonorrhea co-occurred in 1,854 cases (7% of chlamydia and 21% of gonorrhea total cases). Testing behavior was often incongruent with geographic and sociodemographic patterns of positive cases. For example, people living in areas with the highest levels of poverty were less likely to test for gonorrhea but almost twice as likely to test positive compared to those in low poverty areas. Regional HIE enabled review of testing and cases using granular and complementary data not typically available given existing reporting practices. Enhanced surveillance spotlights potential incongruencies between testing patterns and STI risk in certain populations, signaling potential under- and over-testing. These and future insights derived from HIE data may be used to continuously inform public health practice and drive further improvements in provision and evaluation of services and programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Reyes Nieva
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zucker Jason
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emma Tucker
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, new York, NY, USA
| | - Delivette Castor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael T. Yin
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter Gordon
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noémie Elhadad
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Chiu CY, Mustafayev K, Bhatti MM, Jiang Y, Granwehr BP, Torres HA. False-Reactive Fourth-Generation Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing in Cancer Patients. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:674-680. [PMID: 37930789 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fourth-generation (4th-gen) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1/2 antibody/antigen (Ab/Ag) combination immunoassay currently used for HIV screening offers greater sensitivity than previous assays, but false-reactive results occur in up to 20% of patients. Large-scale observations in cancer patients are lacking. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of cancer patients seen at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (March 2016-January 2023) who had reactive 4th-gen ARCHITECT HIV-1/2 Ab/Ag combination immunoassay results. We analyzed characteristics of patients with true-reactive and false-reactive results, defined based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. RESULTS A total of 43 637 patients underwent 4th-gen HIV screening, and 293 had reactive 4th-gen HIV test results. Twenty-one patients were excluded because they did not have cancer. Among the remaining 272 patients, 78 (29%) had false-reactive results. None of these patients experienced delays in their cancer treatment, but 26% experienced mental distress. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified 5 predictors of having false-reactive results: age >60 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.983; P < .0001), female sex (aOR, 6.060; P < .0001), race/ethnicity (Black: aOR, 0.274; Hispanic: aOR, 0.236; P = .002), syphilis coinfection (aOR, 0.046; P = .038), and plant alkaloids therapy (aOR, 2.870; P = .013). CONCLUSIONS False-reactive 4th-gen HIV test results occur in almost one-third of cancer patients. Physicians should be aware of the high rates of false-reactive HIV screening results in this patient population. These findings may have implications for counseling regarding testing, especially among those at low risk for HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Chiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Khalis Mustafayev
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Micah M Bhatti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bruno P Granwehr
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Harrys A Torres
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Chromy D, Sadoghi B, Gasslitter I, Skocic M, Okoro A, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Willinger B, Weninger W, Öllinger A, Sarcletti M, Stary G, Bauer WM. Lymphogranuloma venereum verläuft häufig asymptomatisch bei Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben, in Österreich. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2024; 22:389-398. [PMID: 38450885 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15329_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) ist eine sexuell übertragene Erkrankung verursacht durch Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Serovar L1–L3. Eine Zunahme von LGV ist vorwiegend bei Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben (MSM), beobachtet worden. Die Unterscheidung zwischen LGV und Nicht‐LGV‐Serovaren hat therapeutische Konsequenzen, daher wurden Prävalenz und Charakteristika von LGV innerhalb aller CT‐Infektionen untersucht.Patienten und MethodikAlle CT‐positiven Befunde, erhoben an den vier größten österreichischen HIV‐ und STI‐Kliniken von 04/2014–12/2021, wurden hinsichtlich Charakteristika der Erkrankung und Demographie der Patienten ausgewertet.ErgebnisseInsgesamt wurden n = 2083 CT‐Infektionen bei n = 1479 Personen dokumentiert. Das mediane Alter betrug 31,4 Jahre, 81% waren männlich, 59% MSM, 44% HIV‐positiv, 13% nutzten HIV‐Prä‐Expositionsprophylaxe. Serovaranalysen waren bei 61% (1258/2083) verfügbar, wobei L1–L3 in 15% (192/1258) aller Fälle nachgewiesen wurde. Bei MSM mit rektaler CT‐Infektion waren 23% (101/439) LGV. LGV‐Fälle verglichen mit CT‐Infektionen traten vermehrt bei MSM (92% [177/192] vs. 62% [1179/1891], p < 0,001), HIV‐Positivität (64% [116/180] vs. 46% [631/1376]; p < 0,001) und konkomitanter Syphilisinfektion (18% [32/180] vs. 7% [52/749]; p < 0,001) auf. LGV‐Infektionen verliefen zumeist asymptomatisch (45% [87/192]), gefolgt von Proktitis (38% [72/192]).SchlussfolgerungenLymphogranuloma venereum machte 23% der rektalen CT‐Infektionen bei MSM aus und 45% aller LGV‐Fälle waren asymptomatisch. Bei fehlender CT‐Serovar‐Analyse sollte in Risikopopulationen eine erhöhte LGV‐Prävalenz in Betracht gezogen und bei der empirischen Therapiedauer berücksichtigt werden.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Chromy
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| | - Birgit Sadoghi
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich
| | - Irina Gasslitter
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Mattias Skocic
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Linz, Österreich
| | - Anthony Okoro
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| | | | - Birgit Willinger
- Abteilung für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Klinisches Institut für Labormedizin, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| | - Angela Öllinger
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Linz, Österreich
| | - Mario Sarcletti
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Georg Stary
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
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Kerin T, Cortado R, Paiola SG, Ceballos J, Abdalian SE, Flynn R, Bolan R, Adebambo YV, Sim MS, Swendeman D, Ocasio MA, Fournier J, Ank B, Bryson Y, Nielsen-Saines K. Demographics of Youth With Newly Diagnosed Acute/Recent HIV Infection in Adolescent Trials Network 147: Early Treatment of Acute HIV Infection. J Adolesc Health 2024; 74:573-581. [PMID: 38043041 PMCID: PMC10840998 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men, and racial minority youth are at elevated risk of acquiring HIV infection. The Adolescent Trials Network 147 recruited youth with acute/recent HIV-infection for early antiretroviral treatment. The cohort make-up is described here. METHODS Treatment-naïve, recently identified HIV + youth, aged 12-24 years, from Los Angeles and New Orleans were recruited from community centers, clinics, social media, and a high-risk seronegative cohort (n = 1,727, the Adolescent Trials Network 149) using point-of-care assays. Acute HIV infection was determined by Fiebig staging. HIV RNA viral load (VL) and CD4 cell counts, along with demographic and behavioral data were assessed at enrollment. RESULTS Between July 2017 and July 2021, 103 newly diagnosed youth were enrolled, initiating antiretroviral treatment within a week. Mean age was 20.8 years (standard deviation: 2.4); 90.3% identified as cis male, 83.5% were single or in casual relationships, 71.8% were gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men; 60.2% were Black. One-fourth (24.3%) reported homelessness ever; 10.7% within last 4 months. At enrollment, median plasma VL was 37,313 HIV RNA copies/ml (interquartile range: 5,849-126,162) and median CD4 count 445.5 cells/mm3 (interquartile range: 357-613). 40% of youth reported acute retroviral symptoms before or at enrollment. Acutely infected, seroconverting youth had the highest VL. Sexually transmitted coinfections were present at enrollment in 56% of the cohort, with syphilis being most frequent (39%). DISCUSSION Early identification and treatment of HIV can increase positive HIV outcomes. A high sexually transmitted infection burden was present in recently HIV-infected youth. Acute retroviral symptoms were not reported by most participants, demonstrating that broad universal HIV screening is needed for identification of recent infection in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Kerin
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Ruth Cortado
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sophia G Paiola
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Justine Ceballos
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sue Ellen Abdalian
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Risa Flynn
- The Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Robert Bolan
- The Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yetunde V Adebambo
- UCLA Department of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Myung Shin Sim
- UCLA Department of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dallas Swendeman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Manuel A Ocasio
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Jasmine Fournier
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Bonnie Ank
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yvonne Bryson
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Karin Nielsen-Saines
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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10
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Mussa A, Jarolimova J, Ryan R, Wynn A, Ashour D, Bassett IV, Philpotts LL, Freyne B, Morroni C, Dugdale CM. Syphilis Prevalence Among People Living With and Without HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:e1-e7. [PMID: 38180840 PMCID: PMC10922304 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001920] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection that, untreated, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In people living with HIV (PLWH), syphilis carries greater risks of disease progression. We estimated syphilis prevalence among PLWH in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa and compared the prevalence among PLWH and without HIV. METHODS We searched for studies published January 1, 2011, to March 28, 2022, reporting syphilis prevalence among PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa (PROSPERO No. CRD42020167328). We excluded studies in high-risk subpopulations. We estimated pooled syphilis prevalence among PLWH using random-effects modeling and compared the prevalence with people without HIV when included in the same study. We examined influences of region, study setting, and test type in subgroup analyses. RESULTS We identified 926 studies; 53 were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled syphilis prevalence among PLWH was 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3%-8.5%). Prevalence differed by region: 3.1% (95% CI, 2.2%-4.0%) in Southern, 5.5% (95% CI, 2.3%-9.3%) in West/Central, and 10.5% (95% CI, 8.0%-13.1%) in Eastern Africa. Prevalence also differed by study setting: 13.8% (95% CI, 5.7%-23.0%) in sexual and reproductive health/sexually transmitted infection care, 8.7% (95% CI, 5.0%-12.8%) in HIV care, 7.1% (95% CI, 5.8%-8.5%) in antenatal care, and 3.8% (95% CI, 2.0%-5.8%) in household/community-based settings. Syphilis prevalence was higher among PLWH than without HIV (relative risk, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.8-4.5). CONCLUSIONS Syphilis is highly prevalent among PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa and is more common among PLWH than without HIV. Integration of syphilis screening and management into HIV care may reduce complications of HIV-syphilis coinfection among PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamirah Mussa
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jana Jarolimova
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Ryan
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Adrianne Wynn
- University of California, San Diego; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health; La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dina Ashour
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa L Philpotts
- Treadwell Library, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bridget Freyne
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Paediatrics, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi
| | - Chelsea Morroni
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caitlin M Dugdale
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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11
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Chromy D, Sadoghi B, Gasslitter I, Skocic M, Okoro A, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Willinger B, Weninger W, Öllinger A, Sarcletti M, Stary G, Bauer WM. Asymptomatic lymphogranuloma venereum is commonly found among men who have sex with men in Austria. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2024; 22:389-397. [PMID: 38308171 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Serovar L1-L3 of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) causes lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). A surge in LGV-cases has been observed among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Discrimination between LGV and non-LGV is pivotal since it has major treatment implications. Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of LGV among CT-infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS All CT-positive results from 04/2014-12/2021 at the four largest Austrian HIV and STI clinics were evaluated. Disease characteristics and patient demographics were analyzed. RESULTS Overall, n = 2,083 infections of CT were documented in n = 1,479 individual patients: median age was 31.4 years, 81% were male, 59% MSM, 44% HIV-positive, 13% on HIV pre-exposure-prophylaxis. Available serovar analyses (61% [1,258/2,083]) showed L1-L3 in 15% (192/1,258). Considering only MSM with rectal CT-infection, LGV accounted for 23% (101/439). Cases of LGV vs. other CT-infections were primarily MSM (92% [177/192] vs. 62% [1,179/1,891], p < 0.001), more often HIV-positive (64% [116/180] vs. 46% [631/1,376]; p < 0.001) and had frequently concomitant syphilis infection (18% [32/180] vs. 7% [52/749]; p < 0.001). LGV commonly manifested as proctitis (38% [72/192]) whereas 45% (87/192) were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS Lymphogranuloma venereum accounted for 23% of rectal CT-infections in MSM. Furthermore, 45% of all LGV-cases were asymptomatic. In the absence of CT-serovar analysis, a high LGV prevalence should be considered in risk-populations and guide empiric treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Chromy
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Sadoghi
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Irina Gasslitter
- Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mattias Skocic
- Department of Dermatology, Kepler University Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Anthony Okoro
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Birgit Willinger
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angela Öllinger
- Department of Dermatology, Kepler University Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Mario Sarcletti
- Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Stary
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Boye S, Kouadio A, Kouvahe AF, Vautier A, Ky-Zerbo O, Rouveau N, Maheu-Giroux M, Silhol R, Simo Fotso A, Larmarange J, Pourette D. Organisation of testing services, structural barriers and facilitators of routine HIV self-testing during sexually transmitted infection consultations: a qualitative study of patients and providers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:975. [PMID: 38413887 PMCID: PMC10900544 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08625-x] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consultations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) provide an opportunity to offer HIV testing to both patients and their partners. This study describes the organisation of HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution during STI consultations in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) and analyse the perceived barriers and facilitators associated with the use and redistribution of HIVST kits by STI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A qualitative study was conducted between March and August 2021 to investigate three services providing HIVST: an antenatal care clinic (ANC), a general health centre that also provided STI consultations, and a dedicated STI clinic. Data were collected through observations of medical consultations with STI patients (N = 98) and interviews with both health professionals involved in HIVST distribution (N = 18) and STI patients who received HIVST kits for their partners (N = 20). RESULTS In the ANC clinic, HIV testing was routinely offered during the first prenatal visit. HIVST was commonly offered to women who had been diagnosed with an STI for their partner's use (27/29 observations). In the general health centre, two parallel pathways coexisted: before the consultation, a risk assessment tool was used to offer HIV testing to eligible patients and, after the consultation, patients who had been diagnosed with an STI were referred to a care assistant for HIVST. Due to this HIV testing patient flow, few offers of HIV testing and HIVST were made in this setting (3/16). At the dedicated STI clinic, an HIVST video was played in the waiting room. According to the health professionals interviewed, this video helped reduce the time required to offer HIVST after the consultation. Task-shifting was implemented there: patients were referred to a nurse for HIV testing, and HIVST was commonly offered to STI patients for their partners' use (28/53). When an HIVST was offered, it was generally accepted (54/58). Both health professionals and patients perceived HIVST positively despite experiencing a few difficulties with respect to offering HIVST to partners and structural barriers associated with the organisation of services. CONCLUSION The organisation of patient flow and task-shifting influenced HIV testing and offers of HIVST kits. Proposing HIVST is more systematic when HIV testing is routinely offered to all patients. Successful integration requires improving the organisation of services, including task-shifting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sokhna Boye
- Centre Population Et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche Pour Le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France.
| | - Alexis Kouadio
- Université Felix Houphouët Boigny (UFHB), Institut d'Ethno-Sociologie (IES), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Amélé Florence Kouvahe
- Centre Population Et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche Pour Le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France
| | - Anthony Vautier
- Solidarité Thérapeutique Et Initiatives Pour La Santé (Solthis), Paris, France
| | - Odette Ky-Zerbo
- TransVIHMI (IRD, Université de Montpellier, INSERM), Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population Et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche Pour Le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A2, Canada
| | - Romain Silhol
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population Et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche Pour Le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France
- Institut National d'Études Démographique (INED), 9 Cr Des Humanités, 93300, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population Et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche Pour Le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France
| | - Dolorès Pourette
- Centre Population Et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche Pour Le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France
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13
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Dassaye R, Wand H, Reddy T, Tanser F, Sartorius B, Morris N, Ramjee G. Spatial variations in STIs among women enrolled in HIV prevention clinical trials in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SAHARA J 2023; 20:2193238. [PMID: 36995287 PMCID: PMC10064823 DOI: 10.1080/17290376.2023.2193238] [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: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
South Africa is faced with a high HIV and STI prevalence and incidence, respectively, with pockets of high burden areas driving these diseases. Localised monitoring of the HIV epidemic and STI endemic would enable more effective targeted prevention strategies. We assessed spatial variations in curable STI incidence among a cohort of women enrolled in HIV prevention clinical trials between 2002 and 2012. STI incidence rates from 7557 South African women enrolled in five HIV prevention trials were geo-mapped using participant household GPS coordinates. Age and period standardised incidence rates were calculated for 43 recruitment areas and Bayesian conditional autoregressive areal spatial regression (CAR) was used to identify significant patterns and spatial patterns of STI infections in recruitment communities. Overall age and period standardised STI incidence rate were estimated as 15 per 100 PY and ranged from 6 to 24 per 100 PY. We identified five significant STI high risk areas with higher-than-expected incidence of STIs located centrally (three-locations) and southern neighbouring areas of Durban (two-locations). Younger age (<25), not married/cohabitating, parity <3 and poor education were all significant correlates of high STI communities. Findings demonstrate sustained STI incidence rates across the greater Durban area. The role of STI incidence in HIV acquisition in high HIV endemic areas need to be revisited as current highly effective PrEP interventions do not protect from STI acquisition. In these settings there is an urgent need for integrative HIV and STI prevention and treatment services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshmi Dassaye
- HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Handan Wand
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Tarylee Reddy
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Frank Tanser
- University of Lincoln, Lincoln Institute for Health, Lincoln, UK
| | - Benn Sartorius
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (ITD), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Natashia Morris
- Biostatistics Unit: GIS, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gita Ramjee
- HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London, UK
- School of Medicine, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
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14
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Mitjà O, Padovese V, Folch C, Rossoni I, Marks M, Rodríguez i Arias MA, Telenti A, Ciuffi A, Blondeel K, Mårdh O, Casabona J. Epidemiology and determinants of reemerging bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and emerging STIs in Europe. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2023; 34:100742. [PMID: 37927427 PMCID: PMC10625005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
In this scoping review, we offer a comprehensive understanding of the current and recent epidemiology, challenges, and emerging issues related to bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the WHO European Region. We endeavour in collating data from both EU/EEA and non- EU/EEA countries, thereby giving a complete picture of the region which highlights the higher notification rates in Northern and Western countries than other regions, likely due to differences in testing, access to testing, and surveillance capacity. We provide an up-to-date review on the current knowledge of determinants and persistent inequities in key populations as well as the use of molecular epidemiology for identifying transmission networks in gonorrhoea and syphilis, and detecting chlamydia mutations that evade molecular diagnosis. Finally, we explore the emerging STIs in the region and the evolving transmission routes of food and waterborne diseases into sexual transmission. Our findings call for harmonized STI surveillance systems, proactive strategies, and policies to address social factors, and staying vigilant for emerging STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Mitjà
- Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section, Hospital Universitari Germans Trías i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Fight Infectious Diseases Foundation, Badalona, Spain
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - Valeska Padovese
- Genitourinary Clinic, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Cinta Folch
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isotta Rossoni
- Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society, Leiden University, Netherland
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection and Immunology, University College London, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Miquel Angel Rodríguez i Arias
- Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section, Hospital Universitari Germans Trías i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Fight Infectious Diseases Foundation, Badalona, Spain
| | | | - Angela Ciuffi
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Otilia Mårdh
- STI, Blood Borne Viruses and TB Section, Disease Programmes Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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15
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Kirkoyun Uysal H, Koksal MO, Sarsar K, Soguksu P, Erkose Genc G, Yapar G, Ozdemir E, Onel M, Mese S, Demirci M, Erturan Z, Yurtseven E, Eraksoy OH, Agacfidan A. Distribution of Opportunistic Pathogens in People Living with HIV at a University Hospital in Istanbul over a One-Year Treatment Period and Its Association with CD4 T Cell Counts. Pathogens 2023; 12:1226. [PMID: 37887742 PMCID: PMC10610261 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101226] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Among sexually transmitted diseases, HIV causes very serious clinical manifestations that can lead to death. As a result, millions of people have to live with this problem that threatens their health. The virus attacks the immune system of the host, especially CD4+ T lymphocytes, causing the suppression of the immune system. CD4, CD8 counts, and HIV RNA viral loads are monitored in HIV-infected patients with antiretroviral treatment, and CD4 counts play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the treatment. Despite the advances in treatment in the present day, opportunistic infections are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients, and the evaluation of immunological parameters is valuable for the prognosis of the disease in this process. In the present study, the purpose was to investigate the opportunistic infections faced by naive HIV-positive patients who applied to our laboratory and were diagnosed between 2019 and 2022 during their one-year treatment period, and the correlation of the immunological parameters was also evaluated retrospectively using the hospital automation system and laboratory data. A total of 107 opportunistic causative microorganisms were identified in 87 of the 230 HIV-positive patients over one year. T. pallidum was detected in 43 (18.6%) of these patients, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 32 (13.9%), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 9 (3.9%), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 10 (4.3%), C. albicans in 7 (3%), M. tuberculosis in 3 (1.3%), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2 (0.8%), and C. glabrata in 1 (0.4%) patient. Although mono-agent co-infections were determined in 69 of 87 people living with HIV, two-agent co-infections were detected in 16 HIV patients, and three-agent co-infections were identified in two HIV patients. Considering the correlation between the CD4/CD8 ratio and infection positivity, a moderate negative correlation was determined with HIV RNA viral load and CMV infection. The CD4/CD8 ratio had a low negative correlation with EBV and C. albicans infections. It was also found that the follow-up of HIV RNA load in the diagnosis of T. pallidum, CMV, EBV, and C. albicans may be meaningful. Opportunistic infections mainly affect immunosuppressed patients and can be prevented with effective treatment. Although it is already known that HIV patients may face different infections during their treatment, it was concluded that more attention should be paid to T. pallidum, CMV, EBV, and C. albicans agents. These infections should be routinely monitored with HIV viral load and the CD4/CD8 ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayriye Kirkoyun Uysal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Muammer Osman Koksal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Kutay Sarsar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Pinar Soguksu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Gonca Erkose Genc
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Gizem Yapar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Evrim Ozdemir
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Mustafa Onel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Sevim Mese
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Mehmet Demirci
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kırklareli University, Kırklareli 39100, Turkey
| | - Zayre Erturan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Eray Yurtseven
- Department of Biostatistics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey;
| | - Omer Haluk Eraksoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Ali Agacfidan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey (E.O.); (M.O.); (A.A.)
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Ghasemian E, Harding-Esch E, Mabey D, Holland MJ. When Bacteria and Viruses Collide: A Tale of Chlamydia trachomatis and Sexually Transmitted Viruses. Viruses 2023; 15:1954. [PMID: 37766360 PMCID: PMC10536055 DOI: 10.3390/v15091954] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The global incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over 1 million people acquire STIs daily. STIs can lead to infertility, pregnancy complications, and cancers. Co-infections with multiple pathogens are prevalent among individuals with an STI and can lead to heightened infectivity and more severe clinical manifestations. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most reported bacterial STI worldwide in both men and women, and several studies have demonstrated co-infection of CT with viral and other bacterial STIs. CT is a gram-negative bacterium with a unique biphasic developmental cycle including infectious extracellular elementary bodies (EBs) and metabolically active intracellular reticulate bodies (RBs). The intracellular form of this organism, RBs, has evolved mechanisms to persist for long periods within host epithelial cells in a viable but non-cultivable state. The co-infections of CT with the most frequently reported sexually transmitted viruses: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. These research studies have made significant strides in unraveling the intricate interactions between CT, these viral STIs, and their eukaryotic host. In this review, we present an overview of the epidemiology of these co-infections, while specifically delineating the underlying mechanisms by which CT influences the transmission and infection dynamics of HIV and HSV. Furthermore, we explore the intricate relationship between CT and HPV infection, with a particular emphasis on the heightened risk of cervical cancer. By consolidating the current body of knowledge, we provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics and implications of co-infection involving CT and sexually transmitted viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghasemian
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (E.H.-E.); (D.M.); (M.J.H.)
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Feelemyer JP, Richard E, Khan MR, Scheidell JD, Caniglia EC, Manandhar-Sasaki P, Ban KF, Charles D, Braithwaite RS. Does the Association Between Stimulant use and High Risk Sexual Behavior Vary by Injection Drug Use, Sexual Minority Status, or HIV Infection Status? A Meta-analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:2883-2890. [PMID: 36786937 PMCID: PMC10423740 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04012-4] [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] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
There is strong evidence linking stimulant use, namely methamphetamine use, to sexual risk behavior among sexual minority men (SMM); we do not, however, have a good understanding of this relationship among other at-risk populations. In this study, we systematically reviewed associations between stimulant use (i.e., methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine) and sexual risk behaviors among populations facing elevated risk of HIV transmission and acquisition (i.e., SMM, people who inject drugs (PWID), and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH)). Random-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses that included crude and adjusted estimates separately were conducted to evaluate the impact of potential confounding variables. The results showed strong relationships between stimulant use and condomless sex, transactional sex, and multiple sexual partners. Results were broadly consistent when analyses were stratified by type of stimulant (methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and other stimulants) and risk group. Sensitivity analyses with confounding variables did not greatly impact results. The results indicate that stimulant use is associated with numerous sexual risk behaviors regardless of risk group, suggesting prevention efforts focused on reducing methamphetamine-related HIV risk should target a range of at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Feelemyer
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Maria R Khan
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joy D Scheidell
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ellen C Caniglia
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Prima Manandhar-Sasaki
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaoon Francois Ban
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dyanna Charles
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Scott Braithwaite
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
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Alemu J, Gumi B, Tsegaye A, Abubeker A, Tadesse F, Shewaye A, Rahimeto Z, Mihret A, Mulu A, Gebremedhin A, Howe R. Frequency of viral infections in adolescent and adult in-patient Ethiopians with acute leukemia at presentation to a tertiary care teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Agent Cancer 2023; 18:44. [PMID: 37438754 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-023-00519-6] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leukemic patients are prone to infectious agents such as viruses due to dysregulated immune system resulting from infiltration of the bone marrow by malignant cells, chronic stimulation, reactivation of some viruses and viral pathogenicity as well as rarely from acquisition of a new infections leading to severe complications. However, the prevalence of these infections has not been systematically documented in resource-limited settings such as Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among adult and adolescent in-patients with acute leukemia before the administration of chemotherapy, at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted on 176 adult and adolescent inpatient Ethiopians, who were diagnosed with acute leukemia from April 2019 to June 2021. Socio-demographic characteristics and relevant clinical data were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected and tested for HBV, HIV, and HCV using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between variables. RESULTS Of the 176 patients, 109(62%) were males. The median age was 25[IQR,18-35] yr, with a range from 13 to 76 year. The prevalence of HBV (positivity for HBsAg plus HBV DNA), HCV and HIV was 21.6%, 1.7%, and 1.7%, respectively. HBsAg was positive in 19 cases (10.8%). Among 157 HBsAg negative patients, 52(33.1%) were positive for Anti-HBcAg; of these seropositive cases, 47.5% were positive for HBV DNA. Most DNA positive, HBsAg negative cases (79.0%) had DNA concentrations below 200 IU/ml indicating true occult HBV infection (OBI). Of the 176 cases, 122 had a history of blood transfusions, but no statistically significant association was found between HBV infection and blood product transfusion history (P = 0.963). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HBV, HIV and HCV in patients with acute leukemia was similar to the national prevalence level of these infections. Given the HBsAg positivity and the high prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in our study, these patients may be at increased risk for chemotherapy related hepatitis flares. Hence, clinicians caring these patients are strongly advised to screen their patients for HBV and also for HIV and HCV infections routinely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemal Alemu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Balako Gumi
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aster Tsegaye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abdulaziz Abubeker
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fisihatsion Tadesse
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abel Shewaye
- Department of Laboratory, ALERT Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Amha Gebremedhin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rawleigh Howe
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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19
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Mizushima D, Nagai Y, Mezzio D, Harada K, Piao Y, Barnieh L, El Moustaid F, Cawson M, Taniguchi T. Cost-effectiveness analysis of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Japan. J Med Econ 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37421417 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2023.2233824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While global efforts have been made to prevent transmission of HIV, the epidemic persists. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of infection. Despite evidence of its cost-effectiveness in other jurisdictions, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for MSM is neither approved nor reimbursed in Japan. METHOD The cost-effectiveness analysis compared the use of once daily PrEP versus no PrEP among MSM over a 30-year time horizon from a national healthcare perspective. Epidemiological estimates for each of the 47 prefectures informed the model. Costs included HIV/AIDS treatment, HIV and testing for sexually transmitted infections, monitoring tests and consults, and hospitalization costs. Analyses included health and cost outcomes, as well as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) reported as the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for all of Japan and each prefecture. Sensitivity analyses were performed. FINDINGS The estimated proportion of HIV infections prevented with the use of PrEP ranged from 48% to 69% across Japan, over the time horizon. Cost savings due to lower monitoring costs and general medical costs were observed. Assuming 100% coverage, for Japan overall, daily use of PrEP costs less and was more effective; daily use of PrEP was cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of ¥5,000,000 per QALY in 32 of the 47 prefectures. Sensitivity analyses found that the ICER was most sensitive to the cost of PrEP. INTERPRETATION Compared to no PrEP use, once daily PrEP is a cost-effective strategy in Japanese MSM, reducing the clinical and economic burden associated with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Mizushima
- AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Yi Piao
- Gilead Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Aseeri IA, AlOtaibi MN, Alzahrani WJ, Althomali MA, Alattar HA, Althobity AF. Public Awareness About Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e42302. [PMID: 37609085 PMCID: PMC10441818 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Islamic culture does not tolerate homosexuality and extramarital sex. This may result in ignorance of safe sex practices and a lack of proper public health education by the authorities and parents; this includes knowledge and awareness about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), modes of transmission, protection methods, and sources of information about STDs. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study, a Quick Response (QR)-code-based survey. A standard web-based questionnaire was electronically delivered to our enlisted sample. The statistical analysis started by transferring data from the Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States) to the SPSS software program. We used one-way ANOVA to compare mean scores between the various groups. And we used the Pearson correlation coefficient to assess the association of age with the score. Significance was established at a p-value of 0.05 or less with a 95% confidence interval. All statistical calculations were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). RESULTS The study analysed the sociodemographic characteristics and STD knowledge of 608 participants. Findings revealed a balanced gender distribution, 52.8% male and 47.2% female, the majority being single (72.0%) and with a university education (72.0%). Knowledge gaps were identified, such as confusion between genital herpes and HIV, limited understanding of chlamydia transmission, and misconceptions about human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV. No significant differences were found based on sex, age, marital status, or father's education. However, higher education of mother correlated with significantly higher knowledge scores (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION This study shed light on the limited knowledge and misconceptions surrounding STDs in Taif city. The findings highlighted knowledge gaps, including confusion between different STDs and misconceptions about transmission modes. The results revealed a positive correlation between higher maternal education and increased knowledge scores. These findings underscore the urgency for health authorities to develop awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to promote accurate information and foster healthier attitudes toward sexual activity in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Aseeri
- Faculty of Medicine, Taif University - College of Medicine, Taif, SAU
| | | | | | | | - Hattan A Alattar
- Faculty of Medicine, Taif University - College of Medicine, Taif, SAU
| | - Ahmed F Althobity
- Department of Surgery, Taif University - College of Medicine, Taif, SAU
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21
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Beksinska A, Karlsen O, Gafos M, Beattie TS. Alcohol use and associated risk factors among female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001216. [PMID: 37310993 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to its widespread use in the sex work industry, female sex workers (FSWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol use and associated adverse health outcomes. Factors associated with harmful alcohol use include violence, mental health problems, drug use, sexual risk behaviors and HIV/STIs. To our knowledge, there has been no quantitative synthesis of FSW alcohol use data to date. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of harmful alcohol use among FSWs in LMICs and to examine associations with common health and social concerns. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021237438. We searched three electronic databases for peer-reviewed, quantitative studies from inception to 24th February 2021. Studies were selected for inclusion that reported any measure of prevalence or incidence of alcohol use among FSWs aged 18 or older from countries defined as LMIC in accordance with the World Bank income groups 2019. The following study designs were included: cross-sectional survey, case-control study, cohort study, case series analysis, or experimental study with baseline measures for alcohol use. Study quality was assessed with the Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa) Critical Appraisal Tool. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated for (i) any hazardous/harmful/dependent alcohol use, (ii) harmful/dependent alcohol use only, both overall and by region and (iii) daily alcohol use. Meta-analyses examined associations between harmful alcohol use and violence, condom use, HIV/STIs, mental health problems and other drug use. In total, 435 papers were identified. After screening, 99 papers reporting on 87 unique studies with 51,904 participants from 32 LMICs met the inclusion criteria. Study designs included cross-sectional (n = 89), cohort (n = 6) and experimental (n = 4). Overall, 5 scored as high quality, 79 studies scored as moderate and 15 scored as weak quality. Twenty-nine papers reporting on 22 unique studies used validated alcohol use tools including AUDIT, CAGE and WHO CIDI. The pooled prevalence of any hazardous/harmful/dependent alcohol use was 41% (95% CI: 31-51%), and of daily alcohol use was 26% (95% CI: 17-36%). There was variation in harmful alcohol use by global region (Sub-Saharan Africa: 38%; South Asia/Central Asia/ East Asia and Pacific: 47% and Latin America and the Caribbean:44%). Harmful alcohol use was significantly associated with inconsistent condom use (pooled unadjusted RR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01-2.67), STIs (pooled unadjusted OR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.15-1.46); and other drug use (pooled unadjusted OR of 2.44; 95% CI 1.24-4.80), but not with HIV, violence or mental health problems. We found a high prevalence of problem alcohol use and daily alcohol use among FSWs in LMICs. Harmful drinking was associated with important HIV risk factors such as inconsistent condom use, STIs and other drug use. Major limitations included heterogeneity in tools and cut-off scores to measure alcohol use and other common risk factors, and a paucity of longitudinal studies. There is an urgent need for tailored interventions for FSWs in LMICs that address alcohol use as well as the associated sex work risk environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Beksinska
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oda Karlsen
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mitzy Gafos
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tara S Beattie
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Johnson K, Ghantarchyan H, Johnston B, Sond V, Vo D. A Mysterious Case of Left Shoulder Pain in AIDS: A Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e38884. [PMID: 37303361 PMCID: PMC10257405 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria (N.) gonorrhea is a gram-negative diplococcus and one of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. Disseminated gonococcal infection is a rare but serious complication of N. gonorrhoeae infection that can result in arthritis-dermatitis syndrome or purulent gonococcal arthritis. Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been shown to reduce the efficacy of complement recruitment, which may lead to an increased risk of disseminated gonococcal spread. We present a case of a 41-year-old male with concomitant HIV-gonorrhea infection complicated by rare chronic subacute septic arthritis localized to the left shoulder. The patient had a history of HIV, hypertension, and diabetes, and presented with symptoms, including diarrhea, oral thrush, body aches, and fevers. During his hospitalization, the patient developed increasing left shoulder pain, and imaging and joint aspiration revealed N. gonorrhoeae as the causative agent. The patient was treated with appropriate antibiotics and showed improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering disseminated gonococcal infection as a potential complication of N. gonorrhoeae infection, particularly in patients with concomitant HIV infection, and the need for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall Johnson
- Internal Medicine, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, USA
| | | | - Brandon Johnston
- Internal Medicine, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, USA
| | - Veerpal Sond
- Internal Medicine, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, USA
| | - Dan Vo
- Internal Medicine, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, USA
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23
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Chan CP, Kwan TH, Wong NS, Poon CM, Lee SS. Temporal Changes in Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: Sex Partner Seeking and Behavioral Correlates. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023:10.1007/s10508-023-02598-3. [PMID: 37099189 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
With "undetectable equals untransmittable," continued engagement in condomless sex has prolonged STI risk in people living with HIV. This study examined the pattern and relationship between STI diagnosis and sex partner-seeking practice over time in a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) attending the HIV specialist clinic in Hong Kong. Participants' STI diagnosis record since HIV diagnosis was retrieved and their frequency of seeking sex partners (A) before, (B) after HIV diagnosis, and (C) following extended period (5-10 years), through eight different settings, was assessed in two rounds of survey, along with their risk behavioral profile. Multivariable regression models were employed to study the factors associated with STI diagnosis and partner-seeking frequency, while their temporal relationships over the three time points (A-C) were examined using cross-lagged panel model. Of 345 subjects recruited, STI incidence dropped from 252 to 187 cases/1000 person-years during 2015-2019. Totally 139/212 MSM (66%) had ≥ 1 episode of STI within the 10-year period after HIV diagnosis, giving an 11-20% annual prevalence. The reduced frequency of seeking sex partner was well preserved following diagnosis with a rebound specifically noted in the use of mobile application, the patrons of which were more likely to be co-infected with STI in 2019. Chemsex, concurrent partnership, and casual sex were risk factors shared between frequent partner-seeking practice and STI diagnosis. A robust autoregressive effect for partner-seeking frequency was also identified, and which significantly predicted STI risk in the long term. To enhance HIV care, the co-administration of STI/behavioral surveillance should be emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Pok Chan
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Tsz Ho Kwan
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Ngai Sze Wong
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Chin Man Poon
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Shui Shan Lee
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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García Luna JA, Romero-Rosas N, Silva Peña SA, Oviedo Sarmiento OJ, Galindo Orrego X, Lenis Quintero W, Perea LC, Martínez Buitrago E, Osorio L, Salazar JC, Smith AD, Alexander N. Diagnostic performance of two rapid tests for syphilis screening in people living with HIV in Cali, Colombia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282492. [PMID: 36893095 PMCID: PMC9997911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is insufficient evidence supporting the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for syphilis in people living with HIV (PLWH). We evaluated the diagnostic performance of two commercially available RDTs (Bioline and Determine) in PLWH in Cali, Colombia. METHODS A cross-sectional field validation study on consecutive adults with confirmed HIV diagnosis attending three outpatient clinics. Both RDTs were performed on capillary blood (CB), obtained by finger prick, and sera, by venipuncture. A combination of treponemal enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) on serum samples was the reference standard. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and clinical criteria were added to define active syphilis. Sensitivity and specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios (LR) of RDTs were estimated with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Stratified analyses by sample type, patient characteristics, non-treponemal titers, operator and re-training were performed. RESULTS 244 PLWH were enrolled, of whom 112 (46%) had positive treponemal reference tests and 26/234 (11.1%) had active syphilis. The sensitivities of Bioline on CB and sera were similar (96.4% vs 94.6%, p = 0.6). In contrast, Determine had a lower sensitivity on CB than sera (87.5% vs 99.1%, p<0.001). Sensitivities were lower in PLWH not receiving ART (Bioline 87.1% and Determine 64.5%, p<0.001) and for one of the operators (Bioline 85% and Determine 60%, p<0.001). Specificities of the RDTs were > 95% in most analyses. Predictive values were 90% or higher. For active syphilis, the RDTs showed a similar performance pattern but with decreased specificities. CONCLUSION The studied RDTs have an excellent performance in PLWH to screen for syphilis and potentially for active syphilis, yet Determine performs better on sera than CB. Patient characteristics and potential difficulties operators may face in acquiring enough blood volume from finger pricks should be considered for the implementation and the interpretation of RDTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonny Alejandro García Luna
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas – CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Division of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Nelson Romero-Rosas
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas – CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ernesto Martínez Buitrago
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
- Grupo Colombiano de VIH (VIH-COL), Cali, Colombia
| | - Lyda Osorio
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas – CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
- School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Salazar
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas – CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Connecticut Children’s, Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Adrian D. Smith
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Neal Alexander
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas – CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
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25
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Ensor S, Mechie I, Ryan R, Mussa A, Bame B, Tamuthiba L, Moshashane N, Morroni C. Measuring the impact of COVID-19 social distancing measures on sexual health behaviours and access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for people living with HIV in Botswana. Front Glob Womens Health 2023; 4:981478. [PMID: 36970120 PMCID: PMC10030995 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.981478] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Uninterrupted access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is essential, particularly in high HIV prevalence settings, to prevent unintended pregnancy and vertical HIV transmission. Understanding the challenges that COVID-19 and associated social distancing measures (SDMs) posed on health service access is imperative for future planning. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Botswana between January-February 2021. A web-based questionnaire was disseminated on social media as part of the International Sexual Health and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) Survey. Respondents answered questions on SRH, before and during COVID-19 SDMs. Subgroup analysis and comparison of descriptive data was performed for people living with HIV (PLWH). Results Of 409 participants, 65 were PLWH (80% female, 20% male). During SDMs, PLWH found it more difficult to access condoms and treatment for HIV and STIs; attend HIV appointments; and maintain adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Compared to HIV-negative women, a higher proportion of women living with HIV used condoms as their primary method of contraception (54% vs. 48%), and had lower use of long-acting reversible contraception (8% vs. 14%) and dual contraception (8% vs. 16%). Discussion Mirroring global trends, COVID-19 disrupted HIV and SRH service access in Botswana. However, in high HIV-prevalence settings, disruption may more severely impact population health with disproportionate effects on women. Integration of HIV and SRH services could build health system capacity and resilience, reduce missed opportunities for delivering SRH services to PLWH and limit the consequences of future restrictions that may cause health system disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ensor
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Imogen Mechie
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Rebecca Ryan
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Aamirah Mussa
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bame Bame
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Lefhela Tamuthiba
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Neo Moshashane
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Chelsea Morroni
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and Centre for Global Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Prozherin SV, Podymova AS. Delayed positivity of serological reactions in secondary syphilis against the background of severe HIV-induced immunosuppression. VESTNIK DERMATOLOGII I VENEROLOGII 2023. [DOI: 10.25208/vdv1413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been an increase in syphilis associated with HIV infection cases, especially among men who have sex with men. The global prevalence of syphilitic infection among people living with HIV exceeds population rates. Concomitant HIV infection can affect not just the clinical course of syphilis, but also the production of antibodies to Treponema pallidum. In the presence of severe immunodeficiency in patients with HIV infection associated with secondary syphilis, the results of non-treponemal and/or treponemal tests may be false-negative or may become positive at a later date. Such cases are known, they occur infrequently and cause some diagnostic difficulties. The article presents a clinical observation of delayed positivity of serological reactions in secondary syphilis in a 23-year-old HIV-positive man from the authors' practice. The tactic of managing HIV-infected patients with clinical symptoms of syphilis and negative results of serological tests is discussed.
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Balaji S, Kamble B, Ambalkar D, Kundapur R, Aggarwal S. The Public Health Perspective of Gonococcal Infection in Neonates. Indian J Community Med 2023; 48:372-374. [PMID: 37323747 PMCID: PMC10263039 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_1478_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sivaraman Balaji
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research-Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Bhushan Kamble
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Bibinagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Deepti Ambalkar
- Department of Lab Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Kundapur
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Bibinagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sumit Aggarwal
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research-Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
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McClymont E, Tan DH, Bondy S, Albert A, Coutlée F, Lee M, Walmsley S, Ogilvie G, Money D. HSV-2 infection and HPV incidence, persistence, and precancerous lesions in a cohort of HPV-vaccinated women living with HIV. Int J STD AIDS 2023; 34:402-407. [PMID: 36702811 PMCID: PMC10133830 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231154298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several co-factors for HPV oncogenesis have been proposed, including co-infection with HSV-2. We assessed the relationship between HSV-2 infection and HPV-related outcomes in quadrivalent HPV-vaccinated (qHPV) women living with HIV (WLWH). METHODS In this multi-site study of immunogenicity and efficacy of the qHPV vaccine in WLWH, visits took place at months -3, 0, 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, and annually thereafter. Participants provided clinical data and cervico-vaginal swabs for HPV DNA detection; baseline serum was tested for HSV-2 type-specific antibodies. We used non-parametric statistics to compare HPV-related outcomes by HSV-2 serostatus and use of anti-HSV medication. RESULTS 151 baseline serum samples underwent HSV-2 testing. At baseline, median age was 39 years, median CD4 count was 500 cells/mm3, and 70% had an HIV viral load of <50 copies/mL. Baseline HSV-2 seroprevalence was 76.2%. HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with increased age (p = 0.006). Controlling for age and median CD4 count, HSV-2 seropositivity was not associated with HPV incidence, persistence, and precancerous lesions. The use of anti-HSV medications was associated with higher odds of HSIL cytology (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.03,11.26) and a greater number of HPV types detected (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.00,1.39). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses using an index value of 3.5. The presence of HSV lesions during the study was not associated with HPV outcomes. CONCLUSIONS HSV-2 seropositivity was common in this cohort of WLWH in Canada but was not associated with multiple measures of HPV incidence, persistence, and precancerous lesions. However, the use of anti-HSV medications was associated with HSIL cytology and number of HPV types detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth McClymont
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CA.,Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, BC, CA
| | - Darrell Hs Tan
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CA.,7989University Health Network, Toronto, ON, CA.,Infectious Diseases, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, CA
| | - Suraya Bondy
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CA.,574117British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, CA
| | - Arianne Albert
- 574117British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, CA
| | | | - Marette Lee
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CA
| | - Sharon Walmsley
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CA.,7989University Health Network, Toronto, ON, CA
| | - Gina Ogilvie
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CA.,574117British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, CA
| | - Deborah Money
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CA.,574117British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, CA
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Henriques BL, Vidal JE, Gamba C, Avelino-Silva VI. Lumbar puncture for neurosyphilis investigation in asymptomatic patients with HIV-syphilis coinfection: a cross-sectional study among infectious disease specialists. SAO PAULO MED J 2023; 141:20-29. [PMID: 36043668 PMCID: PMC9808987 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2021.0744.r1.03032022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is a major public health issue worldwide. In people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), there are higher incidences of both syphilis and neurosyphilis. The criteria for referring PLHIV with syphilis for lumbar puncture is controversial, and the diagnosis of neurosyphilis is challenging. OBJECTIVE To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of infectious disease specialists and residents in the context of care for asymptomatic HIV-syphilis coinfection using close-ended questions and case vignettes. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study conducted in three public health institutions in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we invited infectious disease specialists and residents at three academic healthcare institutions to answer a self-completion questionnaire available online or in paper form. RESULTS Of 98 participants, only 23.5% provided answers that were in line with the current Brazilian recommendation. Most participants believed that the criteria for lumbar puncture should be extended for people living with HIV with low CD4+ cell counts (52.0%); in addition, participants also believed that late latent syphilis (29.6%) and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) titers ≥ 1:32 (22.4%) should be conditions for lumbar puncture in PLHIV with no neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSION This study highlights heterogeneities in the clinical management of HIV-syphilis coinfection. Most infectious disease specialists still consider syphilis stage, VDRL titers and CD4+ cell counts as important parameters when deciding which patients need lumbar puncture for investigating neurosyphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Labella Henriques
- MD. Doctoral Student, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - José Ernesto Vidal
- MD. PhD. Infectious Disease Specialist, Department of Neurology, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, São Paulo (SP), Brazil; Infectious Disease Specialist, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Cristiano Gamba
- MD. Infectious Disease Specialist, Centro de Referência e Treinamento DST AIDS (CRT), São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Vivian Iida Avelino-Silva
- MD, PhD. Infectious Disease Specialist, Department of Infectious Disease, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
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30
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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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31
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Kang WT, Xu H, Liao Y, Guo Q, Huang Q, Xu Y, Li Q. Qualitative and Quantitative Detection of Multiple Sexually Transmitted Infection Pathogens Reveals Distinct Associations with Cervicitis and Vaginitis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0196622. [PMID: 36314938 PMCID: PMC9769840 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01966-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Many diverse pathogens have been discovered from reproductive-tract infections, but the relationship between the presence and abundance of particular pathogen species and disease manifestations is poorly defined. The present work examined the association of multiple common pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with cervicitis and vaginitis. The presence and abundance of 15 STI pathogens and the genotypes of human papillomavirus were determined in a cohort of 944 women that included 159 cervicitis patients, 207 vaginitis patients, and 578 healthy controls. Logistic regression and random forest models were constructed and validated in a separate cohort of 420 women comprising 52 cervicitis patients, 109 vaginitis patients, and 259 healthy controls. The frequency of individual STI pathogen species varied among the symptomatic patients and healthy controls. Abundance determination was necessary for most pathogens that were associated with the studied diseases. STI pathogens were more commonly associated with cervicitis than with vaginitis. Pathogen identification- and quantification-based diagnosis was observed for cervicitis with high sensitivity and specificity, but for vaginitis, the assay results would need to be combined with results of other diagnostic tests to firmly establish the pathogen-disease correlation. Integrated qualitative and quantitative detection of a selected panel of common STI pathogens can reveal their association with cervicitis and vaginitis. STI pathogen identification and quantification can be used to diagnose cervicitis and also help improve correct diagnosis of vaginitis. IMPORTANCE Scarce information exists with regard to whether STI pathogens can be defined as valid microbiological predictive markers for the diagnosis of cervicitis and vaginitis. We therefore conducted this study to assess the presence and abundance of a wide range of STI pathogens among patients having these two diseases and healthy controls as well. High sensitivity and specificity were observed for cervicitis by pathogen identification- and quantification-based diagnosis. In contrast, the assay results obtained for vaginitis would need to be combined with test results obtained by other diagnostic methods to decisively establish the pathogen-disease correlation. Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative detection of a selected panel of common STI pathogens and further coupling with machine learning models is worthwhile for establishing pathogen-based diagnosis of gynecological inflammations, which could be of great value in guiding the rational use of antimicrobials to control the spread of STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Tyng Kang
- Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haibo Xu
- Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yiqun Liao
- Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qiwei Guo
- Xiamen Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qiuying Huang
- Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ye Xu
- Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qingge Li
- Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Tshaka TR, Singh R, Apalata TR, Mbulawa ZZ. Aetiology of genital ulcer disease and associated factors among Mthatha public clinic attendees. S Afr J Infect Dis 2022; 37:444. [PMID: 36568332 PMCID: PMC9772736 DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v37i1.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genital ulcer disease (GUD) is a sexually transmitted disease characterised by ulcerating lesions. Despite the introduction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) syndromic management approach into primary healthcare in South Africa (SA) in 1995, the prevalence of STIs in South Africa remains high. Objectives The study investigated the aetiology of GUD and factors influencing it among public community health centre (CHC) attendees in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method A total of 105 participants were recruited among individuals presenting with GUD from three CHCs located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Blood and genital ulcer samples were collected from consented participants. Blood samples with suitable sera were tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. Herpes simplex virus types 1/2 (HSV-1/2), Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi and Klebsiella granulomatis were detected in nucleic acid extracted from genital ulcer specimens. Results Out of the 98 samples with suitable sera, 55.1% and 8.2% were HIV and syphilis seropositive, respectively. Ulcerating STI pathogens were detected in 31.4% of the study participants. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was the most detected pathogen (16.2%) followed by Chlamydia trachomatis (10.5%), HSV-1 (8.6%), Haemophilus ducreyi (8.6%) and Treponema pallidum (6.7%). Multiple pathogens were detected in 13.3% of participants. Detected multiple ulcerating pathogens were common among HIV-positives (p = 0.016). Conclusion Molecular methods for diagnosing pathogens have the potential to improve the management of GUD. Data generated from this study would contribute to the limited data on GUD in the Eastern Cape Province. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended. Contribution Data generated would contribute to the limited data on GUD in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thembisa R. Tshaka
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Ravesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Services, KwaZulu-Natal Academic Complex, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa,School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Teke R. Apalata
- National Health Laboratory Service, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Zizipho Z.A. Mbulawa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa,UCT-MRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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33
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Kenya S, Young B, Rosenthal A, Escarfuller S, Blackmon J, Carrasquillo O. Untold Risk: HIV Transmission Behaviors in Miami's Historically Black Communities. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022; 9:2404-2411. [PMID: 34791613 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01177-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Advances in HIV prevention therapies have led to significant reductions in HIV transmission across the USA. However, these resources have not been equally utilized across all populations, with Black communities in the Southeastern USA experiencing among the greatest HIV disparities in the nation. Tailoring HIV programs to align with the cultural norms of minority communities is one approach that can increase uptake of HIV prevention services. However, accomplishing this requires a rich understanding of the unique risk factors and the context of HIV transmission among men and women within culturally distinct communities. To further our understanding, we examined HIV risk behaviors among Black adults living in geographic HIV hotspots of Miami-Dade County. Between December 2016 and April 2019, data on HIV risk behaviors use a standardized HIV assessment developed by the Florida Department of Health. Chi-square and t-test analyses were conducted to examine differences in population demographics and risk factors, and logistic regression was used to test for predictors of HIV status. Results indicate that a significant portion of participants had prior experience with HIV testing, a known protective factor against HIV transmission. Despite this, much of the sample also reported recent engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors. These findings emphasize the need for intervention development within the context of population-specific behaviors. Future research should further consider the importance of transmission behaviors among clusters of demographically similar populations at high risk for or living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonjia Kenya
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - BreAnne Young
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Amanda Rosenthal
- Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center, 4867 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Sebastian Escarfuller
- Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC5, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jakisha Blackmon
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Olveen Carrasquillo
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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34
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Grabowski MK, Mpagazi J, Kiboneka S, Ssekubugu R, Kereba JB, Nakayijja A, Tukundane J, Jackson JC, Peer AD, Kennedy C, Kigozi G, Galiwango RM, Manabe YC, Chang LW, Kalibala S, Gray RH, Wawer MJ, Reynolds SJ, Tobian AAR, Serwadda D, Gaydos CA, Kagaayi J, Quinn TC. The HIV and sexually transmitted infection syndemic following mass scale-up of combination HIV interventions in two communities in southern Uganda: a population-based cross-sectional study. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1825-e1834. [PMID: 36400088 PMCID: PMC10068679 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00424-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination HIV prevention and treatment interventions (CHIs) have led to substantial declines in HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa; however, population-level data on non-HIV sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the context of CHIs are rare. We aimed to assess STI burden following scale-up of CHIs in Uganda. METHODS The Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Study (STIPS) was a cross-sectional study nested within a population-based cohort among inland agrarian and Lake Victoria fishing populations in southern Uganda. STIPS enrolled consenting residents aged 18-49 years in two communities (one inland and one fishing) between May and October, 2019, and measured the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). FINDINGS Between May 27, 2019 and Oct 25, 2019, STIPS enrolled 1825 participants. HIV prevalence was 14·0% among the inland population and 39·8% among the fishing population, with about 90% HIV viral load suppression in both communities. Among inland and fishing populations, chlamydia prevalence was 9·6% (95% CI 7·9-11·7) and 9·9% (8·1-12·0), gonorrhoea prevalence 5·0% (3·8-6·7) and 8·4% (6·8-10·5), trichomonas prevalence 9·4% (7·7-11·5) and 12·2% (10·2-14·5), and HSV-2 prevalence 43·0% (39·9-46·3) and 64·4% (61·3-67·6), respectively. In the fishing population, syphilis seropositivity was 24·2% (21·5-27·2) with 9·4% (7·7-11·5) having high-titre (rapid plasma reagin ≥1:8) infection, including 16·9% (11·9-24·0%) of men living with HIV. Prevalence of at least one curable STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, or high-titre syphilis) was 51% higher among people living with HIV (vs HIV negative; adjusted prevalence risk ratio [PRR] 1·51; 95% CI 1·27-1·78), including among pregnant women (adjusted PRR 1·87, 1·11-3·17), with no differences by HIV suppression status. INTERPRETATION Despite near universal HIV treatment, STI burden remains extremely high in southern Uganda, particularly among people living with HIV. There is an urgent need to integrate STI care with HIV services in African settings. FUNDING National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kate Grabowski
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jade C Jackson
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Austin D Peer
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caitlin Kennedy
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda
| | | | | | - Yukari C Manabe
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Larry W Chang
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Ronald H Gray
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda
| | - Maria J Wawer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda
| | - Steven J Reynolds
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Laboratory of Immunoregulation, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MA, USA
| | - Aaron A R Tobian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Serwadda
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Joseph Kagaayi
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Thomas C Quinn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Uganda; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Laboratory of Immunoregulation, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MA, USA
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Bosetti D, Mugglin C, Calmy A, Cavassini M, Stöckle M, Braun D, Notter J, Haerry D, Hampel B, Kovari H, Bernasconi E, Wandeler G, Rauch A, Aebi-Popp K, Anagnostopoulos A, Battegay M, Bernasconi E, Braun DL, Bucher HC, Calmy A, Cavassini M, Ciuffi A, Dollenmaier G, Egger M, Elzi L, Fehr J, Fellay J, Furrer H, Fux CA, Günthard HF, Hachfeld A, Haerry D, Hasse B, Hirsch HH, Hoffmann M, Hösli I, Huber M, Kahlert CR, Kaiser L, Keiser O, Klimkait T, Kouyos RD, Kovari H, Kusejko K, Martinetti G, Martinez de Tejada B, Marzolini C, Metzner KJ, Müller N, Nemeth J, Nicca D, Paioni P, Pantaleo G, Perreau M, Rauch A, Schmid P, Speck R, Stöckle M, Tarr P, Trkola A, Wandeler G, Yerly S. Risk Factors and Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac592. [PMID: 36504700 PMCID: PMC9728517 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac592] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH), but there are limited data about risk factors and incidence of STIs in large, representative cohort studies. Methods We assessed incidence and risk factors of STIs reported by treating physicians within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). Sexually transmitted infections and demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics were prospectively collected at 6-month follow-up visits between October 2017 and November 2019. We used multilevel Poisson regression to assess incidence rate ratios of different STIs. Results Among 10 140 study participants, a total of 1634 STIs in 1029 SHCS participants were reported over 17 766 person-years of follow up (PYFUP). The overall incidence of any reported STI was 91.9 per 1000 PYFU (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.8 -98.5). Among the 1634 STI episodes, there were 573 (35.1%) incident cases of syphilis, 497 gonorrhea (30.4%), and 418 chlamydia (25.6%). Men who have sex with men (MSM) younger than 50 years represented 21% of the study population, but accounted for 61% of reported STIs. Male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 2.03; 95% CI, 1.36-3.02), MSM (aIRR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.88-4.55), age group 18-34 years (aIRR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.51-2.10), history of sexual relationships with occasional partners (aIRR, 6.87; 95% CI, 5.40-8.73), and reporting injecting drug use (aIRR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.91-3.23) were associated with a higher risk of incident STIs. Conclusions Sexually transmitted infections were frequent among PWH and varied considerably between age and risk groups. Screening programs and recommendations for STI testing need to be adapted according to risk factors and demographic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catrina Mugglin
- Correspondence: Catrina Mugglin, MSc, MD, PhD, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland ()
| | - Alexandra Calmy
- HIV/AIDS Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Cavassini
- University Hospital of Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Stöckle
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Braun
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Notter
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | - Benjamin Hampel
- Department of Public and Global Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,Checkpoint Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Helen Kovari
- Zentrum für Infektionskrankheiten, Klinik im Park, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Enos Bernasconi
- Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, University of Geneva, and University of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andri Rauch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Zhao P, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Chen J, Fu X, Tang W, Zhou J. Prevalence of syphilis and risk factors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Guangdong province. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1025221. [PMID: 36438237 PMCID: PMC9682027 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1025221] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) tend to have high syphilis incidence. Our objective is to evaluate the prevalence of syphilis and determine the risk factors of syphilis among HIV-positive MSM. Methods A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was performed among HIV-positive MSM in six cities of Guangdong Province from June 2020 to August 2021. Participants completed a survey including social-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and self-reported syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, human papillomavirus statuses after HIV diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with syphilis and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Results Among 944 HIV-positive MSM, 141 (14.9, 95% CI: 12.7-17.2%) men had syphilis and 220 (23.3, 95% CI: 20.6-26.0%) men had STD. Multivariate analysis indicated that MSM who met male sexual partners mainly through traditional meeting places (spa or bath house, sauna, foot or body massage parlor) in the last 6 months [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.09-7.79], and who were diagnosed with herps after the HIV diagnosis (aOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.16-12.39) were more likely to have syphilis. In addition, MSM who met male sexual partners mainly through traditional meeting places in the last 6 month (aOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.01-6.42), and who had more than one male sexual partner in the last 6 months (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.17-3.02) were more likely to have STD. Conclusions The prevalence of syphilis and other STDs is relatively high among HIV-positive MSM in southern China. Routine syphilis screening as a part of HIV monitoring among HIV-positive MSM will have important epidemiological significance for the management of infected patients, and can help reduce the spread of syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peizhen Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Ministry of Education, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziying Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Ministry of Education, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Kirby Institute, New South Wales University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jinmei Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Ministry of Education, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuezhen Fu
- International Department of Nanjing No.13 Middle School, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Weiming Tang
| | - Jiyuan Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Ministry of Education, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, China,Jiyuan Zhou
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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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Anorectal pathology in the HIV population: a guide for radiologists. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022; 47:1762-1774. [PMID: 35284963 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03470-z] [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: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can present with a wide range of different acute and chronic pathologies. Anorectal conditions are particularly common in this unique patient population, including pathologies, such as proctitis, anorectal abscess, anorectal fistula, and anal squamous cell carcinoma. The radiologist plays a critical role in the assessment of these common forms of anorectal disease, as these conditions can present with various findings on imaging assessment. Pelvic CT, MRI, and FDG-PET/CT are among the most common modalities used for assessment of anorectal disease in the HIV patient population. Knowledge of the fundamental clinical and imaging findings associated with these pathologies in HIV patients is critical for radiologists.
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O'Shea J, Oliver N, Cartwright EJ. Diagnosis and Clinical Manifestations of Acute Hepatitis C Infection in People Living with HIV. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:172-177. [PMID: 35507325 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is a global health problem with overlapping modes of transmission. We performed a single-center retrospective case series of acute HCV infections at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System between January 2001 and June 2020 to better characterize the presentation and clinical course of acute HCV among veterans with HIV. Cases were discovered through routine clinical care. We identified 29 cases of acute HCV: all men. Risk for HCV acquisition included men who have sex with men (MSM; 93%) and injection drug use (17%). Thirteen (45%) had a concurrent sexually transmitted infection (STI). Symptoms were seen in 76% of acute HCV cases and resulted in hospitalization in 59% of symptomatic cases. Seven (24%) presented as HCV antibody seronegative. Three never seroconverted, all with CD4 T cell counts <200. Spontaneous HCV clearance occurred in 21% (n = 6) and was more common in those who developed jaundice (p = 0.01). Time to treatment was significantly reduced in the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) era versus the interferon era (300 vs. 1631 days, p < 0.01). Of those who did not spontaneously clear, 87% were treated (n = 20/23) and 95% (n = 19/20) achieved sustained virological response. Three patients died before HCV treatment, all in the pre-DAA period (one death was liver related). In this case series of acute HCV infection in persons with HIV, many were symptomatic MSM who had a concurrent STI, suggesting sexual HCV transmission. Some presented as HCV antibody negative, highlighting the role of enhanced HCV screening and treatment in MSM with HIV to prevent HCV transmission in sexual networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse O'Shea
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nora Oliver
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Infectious Diseases, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Emily J. Cartwright
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Infectious Diseases, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, Georgia, USA
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Hareru HE, Kaso AW, Ashuro Z, Mareg M. Risky sexual practice and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266884. [PMID: 35421163 PMCID: PMC9009662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266884] [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: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The risky sexual behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) may impose a risk of transmitting the disease to their partners and increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among PLWHA receiving [Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)] in Ethiopia. Methods To identify both published and unpublished research articles, systematic searches were performed in PubMed, HINARI, Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of risky sexual practice and its associated factors among PLWHA receiving ART in Ethiopia were included. Two authors independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format prepared in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA version 14 statistical software for further analyses. The Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Since the included studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity, the random-effects meta-analysis model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of risky sexual practice which was determined by dividing the total number of PLWHA with risky sexual practice practices by the total number of PLWHA on ART in the study and multiplied by 100. Furthermore, pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined for the association between determinant factors and risky sexual practice. Result In this study, 2351 articles were identified from different databases, and fifteen articles were selected for final systematic review and meta-analysis. In Ethiopia, the pooled prevalence of risky sexual practices was 43.56% (95% confidence interval (CI):35.51, 51.62). Discussion about safe sex with sexual partner/s [AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.92] and having multiple sexual partners [AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 0.53, 6.84] were factors significantly associated with risky sexual practice in Ethiopia. Conclusion A significant proportion of respondents engaged in risky sexual practices. Multiple sexual partners and a lack of discussion about safe sex are linked to a higher prevalence of the risky sexual practice in Ethiopia. It is critical to raise awareness about safe sexual practices during health education and counselling services and to encourage clients to freely discuss safer sex practices with their sexual partner/s at their antiretroviral therapy (ART) appointments as part of their follow-up care. Protocol registration The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (record ID = CRD42021274600, 25 September 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Habtamu Endashaw Hareru
- School of Public Health, College of Health Science and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Abdene Weya Kaso
- School of Public Health, College of Health Science and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
| | - Zemachu Ashuro
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Health Science and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
| | - Moges Mareg
- Department of Reproductive Health, College of Health Science and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
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Incidence, Reinfection, and Discrepancy Between Sexual Practice and Anatomic Site Positivity of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Youth With HIV. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022; 41:306-311. [PMID: 34773398 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the overall incidence and reinfection rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the discrepancy between self-reported exposure history and anatomic site positivity of STIs among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with HIV in Atlanta, GA. METHODS Retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients 13-24 years of age at the Grady Ponce and Family Youth Clinic from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018. Data were collected on patient demographics, self-reported sexual history and STI events. First STI incidence and incidence of reinfections were calculated by dividing new cases over corresponding person follow-up time. RESULTS A total of 626 sexually active AYAs with HIV were included in analysis. The mean age at first observation was 18.9 (SD: ±2.8) years; 72% were male, 92% were Black and 80% were horizontally infected. The cumulative first STI incidence rate was 45.49 cases per 100 person-years, and the recurrent STI incidence rate was 119.86 cases per 100 person-years. Among all Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) cases, the most common site of infection was the rectum (48.6% and 49.6%, respectively). Disagreement between exposure history and presence of GC or CT infection was statistically significant for nearly all anatomic sites and types of intercourse. CONCLUSIONS AYAs with HIV in Atlanta have disproportionately high first and recurrent incidence rates of STIs, with many patients not reporting exposure at their site of infection. There is considerable need to increase screening for STIs, including routine extragenital testing for GC and CT, among AYAs with HIV regardless of self-reported exposure history.
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Jarolimova J, Platt LR, Curtis MR, Philpotts LL, Bekker LG, Morroni C, Shahmanesh M, Mussa A, Barracks K, Ciaranello AL, Parker RA, Bassett IV, Dugdale CM. Curable sexually transmitted infections among women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS 2022; 36:697-709. [PMID: 34999605 PMCID: PMC8957553 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause significant morbidity among women with HIV and increase HIV transmission. We estimated the prevalence of four STIs among women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and compared prevalence among women with and without HIV. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS We searched for studies published 1 January 1999 to 19 December 2019 reporting prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or Mycoplasma genitalium among women with HIV in SSA. We excluded studies conducted in high-risk groups (e.g. female sex workers). We extracted data on laboratory-confirmed STIs among women with HIV, and when included, among women without HIV. We estimated pooled prevalence for each STI among women with HIV using inverse variance heterogeneity meta-analysis, compared prevalence to women without HIV, and examined the influences of region, clinical setting, and pregnancy status in subgroup analyses. RESULTS We identified 3756 unique records; 67 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and M. genitalium was 3.5, 4, 15.6, and 10.2%, respectively. Chlamydia prevalence was lower in Eastern (2.8%) than in Southern (12.5%) and West/Central (19.1%) Africa combined. Prevalence of chlamydia and trichomoniasis was higher among pregnant (8.1%, 17.6%) than nonpregnant (1.7%, 12.3%) women. All STIs were more prevalent among women with than without HIV (relative risks ranging 1.54-1.89). CONCLUSION STIs are common among women with HIV in SSA, and more common among women with than without HIV. Integrated STI and HIV care could substantially impact STI burden among women with HIV, with potential downstream impacts on HIV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jarolimova
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
| | - Laura R Platt
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
| | - Megan R Curtis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
| | - Lisa L Philpotts
- Treadwell Library, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Chelsea Morroni
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- MRC Center for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Andrea L Ciaranello
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
| | - Robert A Parker
- Harvard Medical School
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Center for AIDS Research, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
- Center for AIDS Research, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Caitlin M Dugdale
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
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Webster CM, Kasaro MP, Price JT, Stringer EM, Wiesen CA, Vwalika B, Stringer JSA. Seroreduction of syphilis nontreponemal titers during pregnancy for women with and without HIV coinfection. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2022; 159:427-434. [PMID: 35122676 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of HIV coinfection on nontreponemal titers during pregnancy in women with syphilis. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of pregnant women with syphilis in the prospective, observational Zambian Preterm Birth Prevention Study (ZAPPS). Treponemal (TPPA) and nontreponemal (RPR) testing were performed on serum biospecimens, resulting in 47 participants with serologically-confirmed syphilis (27 HIV-positive, 20 HIV-negative). The primary outcome, achievement of RPR titer seroreduction during pregnancy, was analyzed by logistic regression. Secondary outcomes included overall titer reduction, seroreduction rate, serologic cure, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS Seroreduction of RPR titer occurred in 78% (21/27) of women with HIV versus 45% (9/20) of women without (aOR 4.66; 95%CI 1.14-19.08). Overall RPR titer reduction, rates of seroreduction per week, and the proportion achieving serologic cure each trended higher among women with HIV compared to those without HIV. There was a trend toward decreased stillbirth incidence in participants achieving seroreduction (OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.01-1.58). CONCLUSION HIV coinfection in this cohort of Zambian women with syphilis was associated with greater odds of RPR titer seroreduction during pregnancy. Pregnant women with syphilis and HIV may not be at increased risk for delayed syphilis treatment response compared to women without HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Webster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Margaret P Kasaro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,UNC Global Projects, Zambia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Joan T Price
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,UNC Global Projects, Zambia
| | - Elizabeth M Stringer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher A Wiesen
- The Odum Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bellington Vwalika
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jeffrey S A Stringer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Mathur S, Heck CJ, Kishor Patel S, Okal J, Chipeta E, Mwapasa V, Chimwaza W, Musheke M, Mahapatra B, Pulerwitz J, Pilgrim N. Temporal shifts in HIV-related risk factors among cohorts of adolescent girls and young women enrolled in DREAMS programming: evidence from Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e047843. [PMID: 35105561 PMCID: PMC8808410 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess temporal shifts in HIV risk factors among adolescent girls (AG, aged 15-19 years) and young women (YW, aged 20-24 years) in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. DESIGN Prospective cohorts with two time points (Kenya: 2016/2017, 2018; Malawi: 2017, 2018; Zambia: 2016/2017, 2018) SETTING: Community-based programming. PARTICIPANTS 1247 AG (Kenya: 389, Malawi: 371, Zambia: 487) and 1628 YW (Kenya: 347, Malawi: 883, Zambia: 398) INTERVENTION: Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS), a multisectoral approach to reduce AGYW's HIV vulnerability by delivering a package of tailored, multilayered activities and services.Primary and secondary outcome measures: HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptom experience, number of sexual partners, condom use (consistently, at last sex), transactional sex, experience of physical violence (from intimate partners) and sexual violence (from intimate partners and strangers/non-partners). RESULTS Changes in HIV-related risk behaviours among DREAMS participants varied by age group and country. Among AG, HIV testing increased (Kenya and Zambia) and sexual violence from partners (in Kenya and Malawi) and non-partners (in Malawi) decreased. Among YW, HIV testing increased and STI experience decreased in Malawi; consistent condom use decreased in Kenya; transactional sex increased in Kenya and Zambia; and physical violence (in Malawi) and sexual violence from partners (in Kenya and Malawi) and non-partners (all three countries) decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS Improvements in HIV testing and reductions in experiences of sexual violence were coupled with variable shifts in HIV-related risk behaviours among DREAMS participants in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. Additional consideration of AGYW's risk circumstances during key life transitions may be needed to address the risk heterogeneity among AG and YW across different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jerry Okal
- Population Council Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Effie Chipeta
- Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi
| | - Victor Mwapasa
- Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi
| | - Wanangwa Chimwaza
- Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi
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Gornalusse GG, Zhang M, Wang R, Rwigamba E, Kirby AC, Fialkow M, Nance E, Hladik F, Vojtech L. HSV-2 Infection Enhances Zika Virus Infection of Primary Genital Epithelial Cells Independently of the Known Zika Virus Receptor AXL. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:825049. [PMID: 35126336 PMCID: PMC8811125 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.825049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is transmitted to people by bite of an infected mosquito and by sexual contact. ZIKV infects primary genital epithelial cells, the same cells targeted by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 seroprevalence is high in areas where ZIKV is endemic, but it is unknown whether HSV-2 increases the risk for ZIKV infection. Here, we found that pre-infecting female genital tract epithelial cells with HSV-2 leads to enhanced binding of ZIKV virions. This effect did not require active replication by HSV-2, implying that the effect results from the immune response to HSV-2 exposure or to viral genes expressed early in the HSV-2 lifecycle. Treating cells with toll-like receptor-3 ligand poly-I:C also lead to enhanced binding by ZIKV, which was inhibited by the JAK-STAT pathway inhibitor ruxolitinib. Blocking or knocking down the well-studied ZIKV receptor AXL did not prevent binding of ZIKV to epithelial cells, nor prevent enhanced binding in the presence of HSV-2 infection. Blocking the α5 integrin receptor did not prevent ZIKV binding to cells either. Overall, our results indicate that ZIKV binding to genital epithelial cells is not mediated entirely by a canonical receptor, but likely occurs through redundant pathways that may involve lectin receptors and glycosaminoglycans. Our studies may pave the way to new interventions that interrupt the synergism between herpes and Zika viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán G. Gornalusse
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Mengying Zhang
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ruofan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Emery Rwigamba
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Anna C. Kirby
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Michael Fialkow
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Nance
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Florian Hladik
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lucia Vojtech
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Lucia Vojtech,
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Tu W, Li YY, Kuang YQ, Xie RH, Dong XQ, Zhang D, Ma YL, Zhang WY, Lu L. High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and risk factors among HIV-positive individuals in Yunnan, China. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:9. [PMID: 35027093 PMCID: PMC8756631 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in China. Other treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with accelerated HIV transmission and poor ART outcomes, but are only diagnosed by syndromic algorithms. Methods We recruited 406 HIV-positive participants for a cross-sectional study (204 ART-naive and 202 receiving ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) tests were also performed. Results Among the 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STIs was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in individuals receiving ART, respectively. The testing frequencies were 11.6% (11.8% vs. 11.4%), 33.2% (29.4% vs. 37.1%), 3.2% (3.4% vs. 3.0%), 2.0% (3.4% vs. 0.5%) and 4.7% (6.4% vs. 3.0%) for active syphilis, HSV-2, CT, NG and MG, respectively. The percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in participants receiving ART. Female sex, an age between 18 and 35 years, ever injecting drugs, homosexual or bisexual status, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptomatic patients were not eliminated from having a laboratory-diagnosed STI. Conclusions The STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs. 49.0%), and HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found a high prevalence (6.4%) of MG in ART-naive individuals. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or hide their genital tract discomfort; thus, we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals regardless of whether they describe genital tract discomfort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tu
- Department of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yu-Ye Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, China.
| | - Yi-Qun Kuang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, China.
| | - Rong-Hui Xie
- Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Infectious Diseases/Yunnan AIDS Care Center (YNACC), Anning, 650300, China
| | - Xing-Qi Dong
- Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Infectious Diseases/Yunnan AIDS Care Center (YNACC), Anning, 650300, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Yan-Ling Ma
- Yunnan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, 650022, China
| | - Wan-Yue Zhang
- Yunnan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, 650022, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China.
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Hirai CQ, Moreira DDC, Granzotto DCT, Souza EMD, Teixeira JJV, Bertolini DA. Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis in HIV infected patients at a Brazilian HIV and AIDS specialized service: a cross sectional study. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2022; 55:e0418. [PMID: 35239907 PMCID: PMC8909440 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0418-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis co-infected patients are not diagnosed, which may evolve into asymptomatic neurosyphilis (ANS). We studied the occurrence of ANS an HIV-infected population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from patients co-infected with HIV and Treponema pallidum. Social-demographic and clinical-laboratory characteristics were studied. Results: Of the 348 patients infected with HIV, 33 (9.5%) had reagent treponemic and non-treponemic tests. CSF was collected from 19 asymptomatic patients. Of these, 8 (42.1%) presented with laboratory alterations suggestive of ANS. Conclusion: Social-demographic and clinical-laboratory variables should be considered for the indication of CSF collection.
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Abara WE, Kirkcaldy RD, Bernstein KT, Zlotorzynska M, Sanchez T. Acceptability of a Gonococcal Vaccine Among Sexually Active Men Who Have Sex With Men. Sex Transm Dis 2022; 49:76-80. [PMID: 34264906 PMCID: PMC10207945 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prospects for a gonococcal vaccine have advanced. Vaccine acceptability is crucial to maximizing population-level protection among key groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). We assessed the prevalence of gonococcal vaccine acceptability among sexually active MSM in the United States. METHODS We used data from the American Men's Internet Study conducted from August 2019 to December 2019. We calculated frequencies of sociodemographic characteristics, vaccine acceptability, and preferred location for vaccine receipt. Using log-binomial regression analyses, we calculated unadjusted prevalence rates (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate factors associated with vaccine acceptability. RESULTS Of 4951 MSM, 83.5% were willing to accept a vaccine and 16.5% were unwilling. Preferred vaccination locations were primary care provider's clinics (83.5%) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics (64.6%). Vaccine acceptability was greater among young MSM (15-24 years [PR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.05-1.12], 25-29 years [PR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.09-1.17], and 30-39 years [PR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.14] compared with MSM ≥40 years), MSM living with HIV (PR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09), and MSM who reported (in the past 12 months) condomless anal sex (PR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.06-1.12), a bacterial STD test (PR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.15-1.21), HIV preexposure prophylaxis use (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14-1.19), a bacterial STD diagnosis (PR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07), or a health care provider visit (PR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.16). Men who have sex with men who reported ≤high school education (PR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.91-0.97) were less willing to accept a vaccine compared with those with >high school education. CONCLUSIONS Most respondents were willing to accept a gonococcal vaccine. These findings can inform the planning and implementation of a future gonococcal vaccination program that focuses on MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston E. Abara
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | | | - Kyle T. Bernstein
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Gilbert L, Dear N, Esber A, Iroezindu M, Bahemana E, Kibuuka H, Owuoth J, Maswai J, Crowell TA, Polyak CS, Ake JA. Prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV and syphilis co-infection in the African Cohort Study: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1123. [PMID: 34717564 PMCID: PMC8557019 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06668-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Each year, 5.6 million new syphilis cases are diagnosed globally. Guidelines for people living with HIV (PLWH) in low-income countries (LIC) recommend STI testing for symptomatic persons and those newly diagnosed with HIV; routine STI testing is less clear. Here we provide updated syphilis prevalence and identify co-infection risk factors in PLWH in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS) to understand these rates as they relate to syndromic treatment. Methods AFRICOS is a study enrolling PLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals in four African countries. Participant study enrollment information was used to determine syphilis prevalence and co-infection risk factors. Inclusion criteria consisted of adults 18 years or older receiving care at a participating clinic as a long-term resident who consented to data and specimen collection. Exclusion criteria consisted of pregnancy and/or imprisonment. Screen-positive syphilis was defined as a reactive rapid plasma regain (RPR) upon study enrollment whereas confirmed syphilis included a reactive RPR followed by reactive treponemal test. Multivariate analyses was performed to determine HIV and syphilis co-infection risk factors. Results Between 2013 and March 1, 2020, 2939 PLWH enrolled and 2818 were included for analysis. Screen-positive and confirmed syphilis prevalence were 5.3% (151/2818) and 3.1% (87/2818), respectively. When the analysis was restricted to PLWH with an RPR titer of greater than, or equal to, 1:8, 11/87 (12.6%) participants were included. No PLWH and confirmed syphilis had documented genital ulcers. In the multivariate model, participants with confirmed syphilis co-infection were more likely to have none or some primary education [aOR 3.29 (1.60, 6.74)] and consume alcohol [aOR 1.87 (1.16, 3.03)] compared to those without syphilis. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) with suppressed viral load (VL) was protective in the unadjusted model but not adjusted multivariate model. Conclusions Our findings show that syphilis rates in sub-Saharan Africa remain elevated where diagnosis remains challenging, and that both lower education level and alcohol consumption are significantly associated with HIV/syphilis co-infection in AFRICOS. Based on our analysis, current STI guidelines targeting testing for African individuals with either new HIV diagnosis or syndromic symptoms may be inadequate, highlighting the need for increased testing and treatment strategies in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gilbert
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Nicole Dear
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Allahna Esber
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Iroezindu
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Bahemana
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Hannah Kibuuka
- Makerere University-Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John Owuoth
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate - Africa, Kisumu, Kenya.,HJF Medical Research International, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jonah Maswai
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Trevor A Crowell
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christina S Polyak
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julie A Ake
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Kalichman SC, Eaton LA, Kalichman MO. Undetected anogenital sexually transmitted infections among young adults living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy: Implications for HIV treatment as prevention. Int J STD AIDS 2021; 33:73-80. [PMID: 34628983 DOI: 10.1177/09564624211046516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Undetected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose health threats to people living with HIV and when combined with uncontrolled HIV can amplify HIV transmission. The current study screened 174 self-identified men under age 36 living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for urethral and rectal incident chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. Participants were also screened for biomarkers indicating alcohol and other drug use, subclinical genital inflammation, and HIV viral load. ART adherence and sexual behaviors were also assessed prospectively over 1 month. Results detected an undiagnosed STI in 32 (18%) individuals. Participants with a previously undetected STI had significantly greater HIV viremia than those who did not have an STI after controlling for several confounding variables. Participants with an undetected STI also engaged in greater condomless anal intercourse with HIV negative and unknown status partners, including partners to whom they had not disclosed their HIV status. These findings show that undetected STI are associated with incomplete ART adherence and unsuppressed HIV, all of which are important for preventing HIV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth C Kalichman
- Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), 7712University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Lisa A Eaton
- Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), 7712University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Moira O Kalichman
- Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), 7712University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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