1
|
Cardoso WM, Motta-Castro ARC, Weis-Torres SMDS, Bandeira LM, Higa MG, Puga MAM, Barbieri AR, Fitts SMF. High prevalence of syphilis among recyclable waste collectors in Central Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2024; 57:e007022024. [PMID: 38359311 PMCID: PMC10911280 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0283-2023] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is associated with social and behavioral factors. METHODS This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of syphilis and its associated risk factors among recyclable waste collectors in Central Brazil. RESULTS A lifetime syphilis prevalence rate of 7.91% (95% confidence interval: 5.25-11.75) was found among 278 participants. Low educational level, history of sexually transmitted infection, and age ≥ 36 years were associated with a high prevalence of lifetime syphilis. CONCLUSIONS These findings emphasize the need for syphilis prevention, screening, and treatment among recyclable waste collectors, highlighting the potential for the spread of infection in vulnerable populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Ministério da Saúde, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ana Rita Barbieri
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Beale MA, Thorn L, Cole MJ, Pitt R, Charles H, Ewens M, French P, Guiver M, Page EE, Smit E, Vera JH, Sinka K, Hughes G, Marks M, Fifer H, Thomson NR. Genomic epidemiology of syphilis in England: a population-based study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e770-e780. [PMID: 37722404 PMCID: PMC10547597 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00154-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Since 2012, syphilis rates have risen dramatically in many high-income countries, including England. Although this increase in syphilis prevalence is known to be associated with high-risk sexual activity in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), cases are rising in heterosexual men and women. The transmission dynamics within and between sexual networks of GBMSM and heterosexual people are not well understood. We aimed to investigate if whole genome sequencing could be used to supplement or enhance epidemiological insights around syphilis transmission. METHODS We linked national patient demographic, geospatial, and behavioural metadata to whole T pallidum genome sequences previously generated from patient samples collected from across England between Jan 1, 2012, and Oct 31, 2018, and performed detailed phylogenomic analyses. FINDINGS Of 497 English samples submitted for sequencing, we recovered 240 genomes (198 from the UK Health Security Agency reference laboratory and 42 from other laboratories). Three duplicate samples (same patient and collection date) were included in the main phylogenies, but removed from further analyses of English populations, leaving 237 genomes. 220 (92·8%) of 237 samples were from men, nine (3·8%) were from women, and eight (3·4%) were of unknown gender. Samples were mostly from London (n=118 [49·8%]), followed by southeast England (n=29 [12·2%]), northeast England (n=24 [10·1%]), and southwest England (n=15 [6·3%]). 180 (76·0%) of 237 genomes came from GBMSM, compared with 25 (10·5%) from those identifying as men who have sex with women, 15 (6·3%) from men with unrecorded sexual orientation, nine (3·8%) from those identifying as women who have sex with men, and eight (3·4%) from people of unknown gender and sexual orientation. Phylogenomic analysis and clustering revealed two dominant T pallidum sublineages in England. Sublineage 1 was found throughout England and across all patient groups, whereas sublineage 14 occurred predominantly in GBMSM older than 34 years and was absent from samples sequenced from the north of England. These different spatiotemporal trends, linked to demography or behaviour in the dominant sublineages, suggest they represent different sexual networks. By focusing on different regions of England we were able to distinguish a local heterosexual transmission cluster from a background of transmission in GBMSM. INTERPRETATION These findings show that, despite extremely close genetic relationships between T pallidum genomes globally, genomics can still be used to identify putative transmission clusters for epidemiological follow-up. This could be of value for deconvoluting putative outbreaks and for informing public health interventions. FUNDING Wellcome funding to the Sanger Institute, UK Research and Innovation, National Institute for Health and Care Research, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, and UK Health Security Agency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A Beale
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
| | - Louise Thorn
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Michelle J Cole
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Rachel Pitt
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Hannah Charles
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Michael Ewens
- Brotherton Wing Clinic, Brotherton Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | - Patrick French
- The Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Malcolm Guiver
- Laboratory Network, Manchester, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma E Page
- Virology Department, Old Medical School, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Erasmus Smit
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK; Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jaime H Vera
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Katy Sinka
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael Marks
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Fifer
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK; Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cao W, Li J, Sun S, Sturm C, Peng L, Gu J, Hao C, Hou F, Wei D, You X, Deng Y, Ekström AM. HIV Serostatus Disclosure Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China in the Era of U=U and PrEP. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1477-1488. [PMID: 34697704 PMCID: PMC9001537 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03502-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Given the recent evidence on "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the present study aimed to investigate HIV disclosure behaviors and their associations with sexual risk behaviors and U=U and PrEP awareness among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 689 MSM recruited through a gay-friendly non-governmental organization located in Chengdu, China in 2018-2019. Information was collected by a structured self-administrated questionnaire. The enrolled sample included 554 (80.4%) participants who were HIV-negative and 135 (19.6%) participants with an unknown HIV status. In terms of disclosure, 41.4% of participants informed all partners about their HIV status all the time (informing behavior), while 30.4% asked all partners about their HIV status all the time (asking behavior). Only one-fifth knew about U=U, but this was not statistically associated with either informing or asking behavior. Half (50.5%) had heard of PrEP but this was not statistically associated with either informing or asking behavior. Common barriers to informing and asking behaviors were lower risk perception of HIV infection, a history of sexually transmitted infections, engagement in receptive sex, and a history of sex with casual partners. We found that both U=U and PrEP awareness and HIV serostatus disclosure were infrequent and not associated in this study of Chinese MSM. These data indicate huge information gaps among MSM in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wangnan Cao
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- Sun Yat-Sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carla Sturm
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Liping Peng
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Jing Gu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- Sun Yat-Sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun Hao
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- Sun Yat-Sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengsu Hou
- Sun Yat-Sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Public Mental Health, Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dannuo Wei
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Xinyi You
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Yang Deng
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, North Campus, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Anna Mia Ekström
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Beale MA, Marks M, Cole MJ, Lee MK, Pitt R, Ruis C, Balla E, Crucitti T, Ewens M, Fernández-Naval C, Grankvist A, Guiver M, Kenyon CR, Khairullin R, Kularatne R, Arando M, Molini BJ, Obukhov A, Page EE, Petrovay F, Rietmeijer C, Rowley D, Shokoples S, Smit E, Sweeney EL, Taiaroa G, Vera JH, Wennerås C, Whiley DM, Williamson DA, Hughes G, Naidu P, Unemo M, Krajden M, Lukehart SA, Morshed MG, Fifer H, Thomson NR. Global phylogeny of Treponema pallidum lineages reveals recent expansion and spread of contemporary syphilis. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:1549-1560. [PMID: 34819643 PMCID: PMC8612932 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-01000-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Syphilis, which is caused by the sexually transmitted bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, has an estimated 6.3 million cases worldwide per annum. In the past ten years, the incidence of syphilis has increased by more than 150% in some high-income countries, but the evolution and epidemiology of the epidemic are poorly understood. To characterize the global population structure of T. pallidum, we assembled a geographically and temporally diverse collection of 726 genomes from 626 clinical and 100 laboratory samples collected in 23 countries. We applied phylogenetic analyses and clustering, and found that the global syphilis population comprises just two deeply branching lineages, Nichols and SS14. Both lineages are currently circulating in 12 of the 23 countries sampled. We subdivided T. p. pallidum into 17 distinct sublineages to provide further phylodynamic resolution. Importantly, two Nichols sublineages have expanded clonally across 9 countries contemporaneously with SS14. Moreover, pairwise genome analyses revealed examples of isolates collected within the last 20 years from 14 different countries that had genetically identical core genomes, which might indicate frequent exchange through international transmission. It is striking that most samples collected before 1983 are phylogenetically distinct from more recently isolated sublineages. Using Bayesian temporal analysis, we detected a population bottleneck occurring during the late 1990s, followed by rapid population expansion in the 2000s that was driven by the dominant T. pallidum sublineages circulating today. This expansion may be linked to changing epidemiology, immune evasion or fitness under antimicrobial selection pressure, since many of the contemporary syphilis lineages we have characterized are resistant to macrolides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A Beale
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
| | - Michael Marks
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michelle J Cole
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Min-Kuang Lee
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rachel Pitt
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Christopher Ruis
- Molecular Immunity Unit, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eszter Balla
- Bacterial STIs Reference Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tania Crucitti
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Michael Ewens
- Brotherton Wing Clinic, Brotherton Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | - Candela Fernández-Naval
- Microbiology Department, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Grankvist
- National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malcolm Guiver
- Laboratory Network, Manchester, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Chris R Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Rafil Khairullin
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Ranmini Kularatne
- Centre for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maider Arando
- STI Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara J Molini
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrey Obukhov
- Tuvan Republican Skin and Venereal Diseases Dispensary, Ministry of Health of Tuva Republic, Kyzyl, Russia
| | - Emma E Page
- Virology Department, Old Medical School, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Fruzsina Petrovay
- Bacterial STIs Reference Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | | | - Erasmus Smit
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Emma L Sweeney
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - George Taiaroa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jaime H Vera
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Christine Wennerås
- National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David M Whiley
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Pathology Queensland Central Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Prenilla Naidu
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sheila A Lukehart
- Departments of Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Muhammad G Morshed
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Helen Fifer
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhao P, Yang Z, Li B, Xiong M, Zhang Y, Zhou J, Wang C. Simple-to-use nomogram for predicting the risk of syphilis among MSM in Guangdong Province: results from a serial cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1199. [PMID: 34844553 PMCID: PMC8628378 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06912-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a simple-to-use nomogram for the prediction of syphilis infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangdong Province. Methods A serial cross-sectional data of 2184 MSM from 2017 to 2019 was used to develop and validate the nomogram risk assessment model. The eligible MSM were randomly assigned to the training and validation dataset. Factors included in the nomogram were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis based on the training dataset. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was used to assess its predictive accuracy and discriminative ability. Results A total of 2184 MSM were recruited in this study. The prevalence of syphilis was 18.1% (396/2184). Multivariate logistic analysis found that age, the main venue used to find sexual partners, condom use in the past 6 months, commercial sex in the past 6 months, infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the past year were associated with syphilis infection using the training dataset. All these factors were included in the nomogram model that was well calibrated. The C-index was 0.80 (95% CI 0.76–0.84) in the training dataset, and 0.79 (95% CI 0.75–0.84) in the validation dataset. Conclusions A simple-to-use nomogram for predicting the risk of syphilis has been developed and validated among MSM in Guangdong Province. The proposed nomogram shows good assessment performance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06912-z.
Collapse
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
| | - Baohui Li
- 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
| | - Mingzhou Xiong
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Kirby Institute, New South Wales University, Sydney, Australia
| | - 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.
| | - Cheng Wang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fan L, Yu A, Zhang D, Wang Z, Ma P. Consequences of HIV/Syphilis Co-Infection on HIV Viral Load and Immune Response to Antiretroviral Therapy. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:2851-2862. [PMID: 34335031 PMCID: PMC8318222 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s320648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although syphilis is a frequent co-infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the influence of syphilis on immune response and virologic failure in HIV-infected patients following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not well-defined. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at Tianjin Second People's Hospital to evaluate the prevalence of syphilis and immune status in 4171 ART-naïve patients. The study included patients who initiated ART between August 2009 and June 2019. Results The prevalence of syphilis was 40.1% in all ART-naïve patients and 42.5% in ART-naïve men who have sex with men. HIV/syphilis co-infection was associated with higher virologic failure (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.30 (1.04, 1.63)). Patients with HIV/syphilis co-infection had lower median CD4+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios at baseline. After initiation of ART, patients co-infected with HIV/syphilis had smaller increases in CD4+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios than patients infected only with HIV. The rate of recurrence of syphilis or reinfection was 9% (n = 128) during seven years of ART. Conclusion HIV/syphilis co-infection had a negative impact on immune recovery and antiretroviral effectiveness. RPR titer and HIV viral load should be monitored in patients co-infected with HIV/syphilis, especially in patients with high RPR titers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiping Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Defa Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hall CDX, Luu M, Nehl EJ, He N, Zheng T, Haardörfer R, Wong FY. Do the same socio-demographic variables predict testing uptake and sero-status? HIV and syphilis among an observational sample of Chinese men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China. Int J STD AIDS 2021; 31:939-949. [PMID: 32772687 DOI: 10.1177/0956462420909733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
HIV and syphilis are pronounced among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China and often occur as co-infections, while testing remains low. Few studies examine common predictors across these outcomes. This observational venue-based sample of 546 MSM in Shanghai, China used a common set of psychosocial predictors to construct logistic models for the outcomes (HIV non-testing, syphilis non-testing, HIV sero-status, and syphilis sero-status). Fifty-seven (10.7%) participants tested positive for HIV, 126 (23.5%) for syphilis, and 33% of HIV-positive participants had a co-infection. Non-sex working MSM had consistently higher odds of HIV and syphilis non-testing (OR= 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.5, p < 0.001; OR = 2.4, 95, 95% CI 1.5-3.8, p < 0.001, respectively) compared to 'money boy' sex workers. Participants with a 0 score on HIV knowledge had 4.1 times (95% CI 1.4-12.5, p = 0.01) the odds of reporting HIV non-testing, 6.0 (95% CI 1.96-18.5, p < 0.01) times the odds of reporting non-testing for syphilis, and 8.44 times (95% CI 1.19-59.7, p = 0.03) the odds of testing positive for HIV, compared to a score of 8. The results highlighted the importance of integrating HIV/syphilis education and promoting testing for both HIV and syphilis among all sub-groups of MSM in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Casey D Xavier Hall
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Minh Luu
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eric J Nehl
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Na He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tony Zheng
- Shanghai Piaoxue Multicultural Medua, Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Regine Haardörfer
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Frank Y Wong
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Center for Indigenous Nursing Research for Health Equity, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Hawai'i, Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Knox J, Chen YN, He Q, Liu G, Jones J, Wang X, Sullivan P, Siegler A. Use of Geosocial Networking Apps and HIV Risk Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Case-Crossover Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 7:e17173. [PMID: 33448934 PMCID: PMC7846440 DOI: 10.2196/17173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background HIV disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. The HIV epidemic is largely driven by unprotected anal sex (ie, sex not protected by condoms or HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]). The possible association between unprotected anal sex and the use of geospatial networking apps has been the subject of scientific debate. Objective This study assessed whether users of a gay geospatial networking app in China were more likely to use condoms when they met their partners online versus offline. A case-crossover analysis, with each person serving as his own control, was employed to address the potential bias that men looking for sex partners through an online dating medium might have inherently different (and riskier) patterns of sexual behavior than men who do not use online dating media. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered in 2018 to adult male users of Blued—a gay geospatial networking app—in Beijing, Tianjin, Sichuan, and Yunnan, China. A case-crossover analysis was conducted among 1311 MSM not taking PrEP who reported engaging in both unprotected and protected anal sex in the previous 6 months. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to quantify the association between where the partnership was initiated (offline or online) and the act of unprotected anal sex, controlling for other interval-level covariates. Four sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess other potential sources of bias. Results We identified 1311 matched instances where a person reported having both an unprotected anal sex act and a protected anal sex act in the previous 6 months. Of the most recent unprotected anal sex acts, 22.3% (292/1311), were initiated offline. Of the most recent protected anal sex acts, 16.3% (214/1311), were initiated offline. In multivariable analyses, initiating a partnership offline was positively associated with unprotected anal sex (odds ratio 2.66, 95% CI 1.84 to 3.85, P<.001) compared with initiating a partnership online. These results were robust to each of the different sensitivity analyses we conducted. Conclusions Among Blued users in 4 Chinese cities, men were less likely to have unprotected anal sex in partnerships that they initiated online compared with those that they initiated offline. The relationship was strong, with over 2.5 times the likelihood of engaging in unprotected anal sex in partnerships initiated offline compared with those initiated online. These findings suggest that geospatial networking apps are a proxy for, and not a cause of, high-risk behaviors for HIV infection; these platforms should be viewed as a useful venue to identify individuals at risk for HIV transmission to allow for targeted service provision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Knox
- Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yi-No Chen
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Qinying He
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China
| | - Guowu Liu
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jeb Jones
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Chengdu Tongle Social Work Service Center, Chengdu, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang J, Xu JJ, Leuba SI, Chu ZX, Hu QH, Mao X, Jiang YJ, Geng WQ, Shang H. Increasing Condomless Anal Intercourse and HIV Prevalence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Have Never Been Tested for HIV Before: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study in Shenyang, China from 2012 to 2016. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:2918-2926. [PMID: 32297067 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02842-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite the high HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, over half of MSM have never been tested for HIV before (MSMNT). Through a serial cross-sectional study from 2012 to 2016 in Shenyang, China, we studied 1036 MSMNT, and diagnosed 16.2% (168/1036) with HIV. The percentage of MSMNT who had condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in the past year increased from 42.1% (130/309) in 2012 to 63.4% (102/161) in 2016 (P < 0.001). 61.9% (104/168) of HIV-positive MSMNT had CAI and this percentage remained constant for the study period (P = 0.593). 53.3% (463/868) of HIV-negative MSMNT had CAI and this percentage significantly increased over the study period (P < 0.001). Encouraging HIV testing in this key subset through online HIV risk self-evaluation tools and HIV self-testing kits may help mitigate the overall MSM HIV incidence.
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang J, Huang X, Chen Y, Wang H, Zhang Y, Wang H, Mei Z, Jia Y, Chu Z, Hu QH, He X, Zhang L, Hu Z, Bao R, Li S, Ding H, Jiang Y, Geng W, Tang W, Xu J. HIV and other STIs self-testing to reduce risk compensation among men who have sex with men who use oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in China: protocol for a randomised waitlist-controlled trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036231. [PMID: 32690516 PMCID: PMC7371146 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men by up to 99%. However, in real-world settings, PrEP users may exhibit risk compensation after uptake of PrEP, including more condomless anal intercourse (CAI) and increased sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition. HIV self-testing (HIVST) decreases CAI among men who have sex with men (MSM) by providing awareness of the HIV status of oneself and one's sexual partners. Here, we describe the rationale and design of a randomised waitlist-controlled trial to examine the impact of HIVST on risk compensation among PrEP users. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study is a two-arm randomised waitlist-controlled trial with 1000 HIV-negative MSM in four major cities in China who will be taking oral PrEP (involving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) either daily (n=500) or in an event-driven regimen (n=500). The participants will be randomised (1:1) to either the immediate HIVST intervention arm (HIVST plus standard facility-based counselling and testing from 0 to 12 months) or the waitlist arm (standard facility-based counselling and testing from 0 to 6 months, then crossover to receive the HIVST intervention in months 7-12). Participants will provide blood samples to assess the incidence of syphilis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) during a follow-up. The primary outcomes will be the occurrence of CAI, number of sexual partners and incidence of syphilis and HSV-2 during a follow-up. The secondary outcomes will be the HIV and STI testing frequency and STI treatment adherence during a follow-up. The planned start and end dates for the study is 26 December 2018 and 31 December 2020. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Medical Science Research Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University has approved the study (IRB(2018)273). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR1800020374.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojie Huang
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaokai Chen
- Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyi Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhu Mei
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yueru Jia
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - ZhenXing Chu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hai Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing He
- Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Lukun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhili Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rantong Bao
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shangcao Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Ding
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenqing Geng
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dong MJ, Peng B, Liu ZF, Ye QN, Liu H, Lu XL, Zhang B, Chen JJ. The prevalence of HIV among MSM in China: a large-scale systematic analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:1000. [PMID: 31775654 PMCID: PMC6880607 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4559-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) has become a significant public health challenge. The aim was to comprehensively estimate the national prevalence of HIV among MSM and its time trends through a large-scale systematic analysis. METHODS Systematic search of Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data databases without language restriction for studies on the prevalence of HIV among MSM published before Dec.31, 2018. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were published in the peer-reviewed literature and used validated assessment methods to assess the prevalence of HIV among MSM. Estimates were pooled using random-effects analysis. RESULTS Data were extracted from 355 cross-sectional studies (571,328 individuals) covered 59 cities from 30 provinces and municipalities of China. The overall national prevalence of HIV among MSM from 2001 to 2018 was estimated to be 5.7% (95% CI: 5.4-6.1%), with high between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 98.0%, P < 0.001). Our study showed an increased tendency in the HIV prevalence as time progressed by meta-regression analysis (I2 = 95.9%, P < 0.0001). HIV prevalence was the highest in those aged 50 years and older with HIV prevalence of 19.3% (95%CI: 13.1-27.4%, N = 13). HIV was more prevalent in the illiterate population (16.8%), than in those who had received an education. Although the internet was a major venue for Chinese MSM seeking male sex partners (35.6, 95%CI: 32.3-39.9%, N = 101), seeking MSM in bathhouses/saunas had the highest associated prevalence of HIV (13.4, 95%CI: 10.3-17.1%, N = 22). The HIV prevalence among MSM varied by location: compared with other regions in China, HIV was highly prevalent among MSM in the southwest (10.7, 95%CI: 9.3-12.2%, N = 91). Compared to participants who sometimes or always used condoms, participants who had never used a condom in the past 6 months had a higher risk of HIV infection, with odds ratios of 0.1 (95%CI: 0.08-0.14). CONCLUSIONS Our analysis provided reliable estimates of China's HIV burden among MSM, which appears to present an increasing national public health challenge. Effective government responses are needed to address this challenge and include the implementation of HIV prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jie Dong
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Medical Statistics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Feng Liu
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian-ni Ye
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Liu
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi-Li Lu
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Zhang
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia-Jia Chen
- Infectious Disease Department, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310003 People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang L, Santella AJ, Wei X, Zhuang G, Li H, Zhang H, Huang X, Zhang Y, Zheng H, Zhou A. Prevalence and protective factors of HIV and syphilis infection among men who have sex with men in Northwest China. J Med Virol 2019; 92:1141-1147. [PMID: 31696951 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately impacted by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis in China. Little is known about HIV and syphilis infections among MSM in Xi'an, a developing city in Northwest China. A cross-sectional study with recruitment via snowball sampling was conducted to collect HIV and syphilis infection status and risk factors among MSM in Xi'an between April 2013 to December 2016. Among the 5000 participants, the mean age was 29.0 years (SD 7.7) and the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and coinfection was 6.5%, 2.2%, and 0.4%, respectively. There was no significant change in HIV prevalence from 2013 to 2016, while the prevalence of syphilis and coinfection showed a downward trend. Multiple logistic regression analyses found that being over 25 years old (OR = 1.647), junior high school/middle school education and below (OR = 3.085), with a sexual role of passive or versatile (OR = 3.300; OR = 2.337), rush poppers use during the last 6 months (OR = 1.660) and syphilis infection (OR = 2.235) were more likely to acquire HIV infection, whereas used condoms in the last episode of anal sex (OR = 0.572) and tested HIV antibody previously (OR = 0.252) were protective factors for HIV infection. HIV prevalence among MSM in Xi'an was stable, whereas the prevalence of syphilis and coinfection showed a downward trend. Interventions to promote HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing and condom use should be strengthened, especially for MSM with low education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lirong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Anthony J Santella
- Department of Health Professions, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control, Xi'an Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Guihua Zhuang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Hengxin Li
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control, Xi'an Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Hailan Zhang
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control, Xi'an Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control, Xi'an Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Yalan Zhang
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control, Xi'an Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Haichao Zheng
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control, Xi'an Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Anqin Zhou
- Department of HIV Testing Mobilization, Xi'an Center for Marie Stopes International, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Weng RX, Hong FC, Yu WY, Cai YM. Compare HIV/syphilis infections between age groups and explore associated factors of HIV/syphilis co-infections among men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China, from 2009 to 2017. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223377. [PMID: 31581277 PMCID: PMC6776337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the HIV/syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) aged <50 years and ≥50 years in Shenzhen, and explore the associated factors of HIV/syphilis co-infections among MSM in Shenzhen, in order to help prevention and intervention programs determine their target sub-group. A serial cross-sectional study was conducted on MSM in Shenzhen city, China from 2009 to 2017. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, history of HIV testing, history of blood donation and sexual behaviors. 5 ml of venous blood were collected for syphilis and HIV tests. The overall prevalence of HIV, syphilis, HIV/syphilis co-infection was 9.40%, 18.97%, and 4.91%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV (15.26%), syphilis (27.71%), HIV/syphilis co-infection (9.24%) in aged ≥50 years MSM was significantly higher than aged <50 years MSM (9.15%, 18.59% and 4.72%, respectively). The following factors were found to be significantly associated with HIV/syphilis co-infections (P<0.05): age≥50 years (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.10–2.87), high school or lower (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.10–2.01), monthly income ≤436.2 USD (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.25–2.42), monthly income 436.4–727.2 USD (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.05–2.03), ≥2 anal sex partners in the past 6 months (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.02–2.49), ≥2 oral sex partners in the past 6 months (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.08–2.36), inconsistent condom use during anal sex in the past 6 months (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.11–2.03). We found that aged <50 years and ≥50 years MSM in Shenzhen had a high prevalence of HIV/syphilis infection in a period from 2009 to 2017. Age-specific sexually transmitted diseases education, prevention, and intervention programs for aged ≥50 years MSM should be implemented urgently and integrated interventions of both HIV and syphilis infections on MSM are needed in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Xing Weng
- Department of STD Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fu-Chang Hong
- Department of STD Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Ye Yu
- Department of STD Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yu-Mao Cai
- Department of STD Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Beale MA, Marks M, Sahi SK, Tantalo LC, Nori AV, French P, Lukehart SA, Marra CM, Thomson NR. Genomic epidemiology of syphilis reveals independent emergence of macrolide resistance across multiple circulating lineages. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3255. [PMID: 31332179 PMCID: PMC6646400 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11216-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum and may lead to severe complications. Recent years have seen striking increases in syphilis in many countries. Previous analyses have suggested one lineage of syphilis, SS14, may have expanded recently, indicating emergence of a single pandemic azithromycin-resistant cluster. Here we use direct sequencing of T. pallidum combined with phylogenomic analyses to show that both SS14- and Nichols-lineages are simultaneously circulating in clinically relevant populations in multiple countries. We correlate the appearance of genotypic macrolide resistance with multiple independently evolved SS14 sub-lineages and show that genotypically resistant and sensitive sub-lineages are spreading contemporaneously. These findings inform our understanding of the current syphilis epidemic by demonstrating how macrolide resistance evolves in Treponema subspecies and provide a warning on broader issues of antimicrobial resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A Beale
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Sharon K Sahi
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lauren C Tantalo
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Patrick French
- The Mortimer Market Centre CNWL, Camden Provider Services, London, UK
| | - Sheila A Lukehart
- Departments of Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Christina M Marra
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Guo N, Liu L, Yang X, Song T, Li G, Li L, Jiang T, Gao Y, Zhang T, Su B, Wu H. Immunological Changes in Monocyte Subsets and Their Association With Foxp3 + Regulatory T Cells in HIV-1-Infected Individuals With Syphilis: A Brief Research Report. Front Immunol 2019; 10:714. [PMID: 31024549 PMCID: PMC6465566 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of syphilis has increased dramatically in men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those with HIV-1 infection. Treponema pallidum and HIV-1 are bidirectionally synergistic, accelerating disease progression reciprocally in co-infected individuals. We have shown that monocytes have different effects on T helper cells at different stages of HIV-1 infection. However, the immunological changes in the three monocyte subsets and in regulatory T cells (Tregs), and the associations between these cell types during syphilis infection among HIV-1-infected MSM remain unclear. Herein, we used cell staining methods to explore changes in monocyte subsets and Tregs and any associations between these cells. We found that the frequency of classical monocytes was higher in the rapid plasma reagin (RPR+) group than in the healthy controls (HCs) and the chronic HIV-1 infection (CHI) plus RPR+ (CHI&RPR+) group. The frequencies of Foxp3+CD25+CD45RA+ and Foxp3+Helios+CD45RA+ Tregs were significantly higher in the RPR+, CHI, and CHI&RPR+ groups than in HCs, whereas the frequency of CD45RA+ Tregs was lower in the CHI&RPR+ group than in CHI group. The frequencies of Foxp3+CD25+CD45RO+ and Foxp3+Helios+CD45RO+ Tregs were lower in the RPR+, CHI, and CHI&RPR+ groups than in HCs. The frequency of intermediate monocytes was inversely correlated with the frequency of CD45RA+ Tregs and positively correlated with the frequency of CD45RO+ Tregs. These results demonstrate for the first time that intermediate monocytes control the differentiation of Treg subsets in Treponema pallidum/HIV-1 co-infections. These findings provide new insights into an immunological mechanism involving monocytes/Tregs in HIV-infected individuals with syphilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Guo
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Liu
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Yang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Song
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Guanxin Li
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Taiyi Jiang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqing Gao
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Su
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Fu R, Zhao J, Wu D, Zhang X, Tucker JD, Zhang M, Tang W. A spatiotemporal meta-analysis of HIV/syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men living in mainland China. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:652. [PMID: 30541463 PMCID: PMC6292157 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3532-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Geographic differences in HIV, syphilis and condomless sex among men who have sex with men in China remained unknown. We aimed to elucidate these spatiotemporal changing patterns in China. Methods We conducted a spatiotemporal meta-analysis. We searched four databases for studies conducted between 2001 and 2015. We included studies that reported original data of HIV/syphilis prevalence in China, the study’s area/province, and period of data collection. We grouped studies into six regions and four time periods. We examined the changing patterns of national and regional prevalence of HIV, syphilis and condomless sex. Results Search results yielded 2119 papers, and 272 were included in the meta-analysis. The sample sizes of the studies ranged from 19 to 47,231. National HIV prevalence increased from 3.8% (95% CI 3.0–4.8) in 2001–07 to 6.6% (5.6–7.7) in 2013–15. In most regions, the rise occurred before 2010 and the HIV prevalence remained relatively stable afterwards, except for the Northwest which showed a considerable increase since 2008. National syphilis prevalence decreased from 12.3% (10.2–14.9) in 2001–07 to 7.1% (5.6–8.9) in 2013–15. Conclusions The trends of HIV and syphilis infections have been effectively curbed in MSM in most regions of China. Continuous efforts, particularly promotion of condom use, are needed to further reduce these infections. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3532-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Fu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong, China.,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,SESH (Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health) study group, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinkou Zhao
- Technical Advice and Partnership Department, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dan Wu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong, China.,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,SESH (Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health) study group, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiayan Zhang
- Shijingshan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,SESH (Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health) study group, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiwen Zhang
- Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Weiming Tang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong, China. .,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China. .,SESH (Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health) study group, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Shan D, Yu MH, Yang J, Zhuang MH, Ning Z, Liu H, Liu L, Han MJ, Zhang DP. Correlates of HIV infection among transgender women in two Chinese cities. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:123. [PMID: 30509315 PMCID: PMC6276265 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0508-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In an era when HIV transmission has been on the rise among men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women may play a considerable role in China’s current HIV epidemic as a potential “bridge” of HIV transmission between homosexual and heterosexual populations. We sought to understand the risk behaviours and factors associated with HIV infection among transgender women in two cities in China. Methods From January to December 2016, we recruited transgender women with the help of community-based organizations (CBOs) through a wide range of methods, including snowball sampling. After recruitment, we asked participants to fill out a structured questionnaire including questions about socio-demographics, sexual behaviours, condom use, substance use and uptake of health care services. HIV infection status was determined by using two different rapid testing reagents. Results Among 498 subjects enrolled in this study, 233 were from Shanghai and 265 were from Tianjin. The median age was 30 years (range: 18–68; IQR: 24–33). Of them, 337 (67.7%) preferred feminine dress, 13 (2.6%) had undergone transsexual operation and 68 (13.7%) had used hormones for transition purposes. Nearly half (45.6%) reported having regular partners, and 351 (70.5%) had casual partners. Regarding condom use, 81.5% reported not always using condoms with stable partners, and 70.9% reported not using condoms with casual partners. Twenty-five (5.0%) had a history of buying sex and fifty-one (10.2%) had a history of selling sex in the past three months. A total of 200 (40.2%) participants had used at least one kind of controlled substance in the past six months. The most commonly used substances were amyl nitrates (rush popper) (99.5%) and 5-MeO-DiPT (20.0%). Among rush popper users, 170 (85.4%) reported always having sex while on the drug, and 177 (88.9%) reported increased sexual pleasure after using the drug. The HIV infection risk factors identified in our study were being located in Shanghai (aOR = 9.35, 95% CI = 3.89–22.49), selling sex in the past three months (aOR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.31–9.01), and substance use in the past six months (aOR = 5.71, 95% CI = 2.63–12.41). Conclusions Transgender women bear a high HIV burden in the two Chinese cities. Those involved in commercial sex tended to have inconsistent condom use, leading to high risk of HIV infection. Substance use was an independent risk factor of HIV infection by increasing sexual activities and unprotected sex, which indicated an aggravated and complex situation with possible interacting syndemic factors that could cumulatively facilitate sexual risk behaviours and HIV infection in transgender women. There is an urgent need for innovative and appropriate HIV prevention programmes targeting this unique population. Efforts should be made to provide them with tailored services including persuasive communication on consistent condom use, substance use counselling and related referral services, all with the goal of reducing HIV epidemic among transgender women. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0508-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duo Shan
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Mao-He Yu
- Division of AIDS Control and Prevention, Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yang
- Shenlan Public Health Consultation Service Center in Tianjin, Tianjin, 300171, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Hua Zhuang
- Division of AIDS Control and Prevention, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Ning
- Division of AIDS Control and Prevention, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Liu
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Jie Han
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Peng Zhang
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ye M, Giri M. Prevalence and correlates of HIV infection among men who have sex with men: a multi-provincial cross-sectional study in the southwest of China. HIV AIDS-RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2018; 10:167-175. [PMID: 30323685 PMCID: PMC6178892 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s176826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of HIV Infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in two major provinces in southwest of China. Method We adopted the method of anonymous survey and HIV blood test on 1,245 MSM >18 years of age from Chongqing and Sichuan Province, China. Results The prevalence of HIV infection among MSM was 21.20%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant independent predictors of HIV infection among MSM as follows: lower level of education, preference to be receptive, lower frequency of condom use, drug usage, higher number of sexual partners in the past 1 month, and people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. The distribution of HIV infection probability scores among HIV-negative MSM shows a positively skewed distribution, which will help to find persons at higher risk of HIV infection. Conclusion HIV prevalence in Chongqing and Sichuan Province is extremely high. We must find a way to identify people at high risk of HIV infection and employ different interventions among different risk levels of HIV infection in order to achieve maximum prevention and treatment benefit. Considering the relative shortage of resources, efforts to prevent HIV might be more effectively employed if they stratify men based on validated risk criteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengliang Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China,
| | - Mohan Giri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Guanghua L, Yi C, Shuai T, Zhiyong S, Zhenzhu T, Yuhua R, Yousuf MA, Wensheng F. HIV, syphilis and behavioral risk factors among men who have sex with men in a drug-using area of southwestern China: Results of 3 cross-sectional surveys from 2013 to 2015. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e0404. [PMID: 29668597 PMCID: PMC5916656 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and behavioral risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwestern China, where HIV started as a drug-driven epidemic, and shifted to mainly heterosexual transmission.These cross-sectional studies were conducted yearly in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in Guangxi, China. A total of 1,996, 1,965, and 1,697 participants were recruited in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively. The data included demographic and sexual behavioral variables. Other variables included individuals who used illegal drugs, and who received HIV counseling, testing, and free condoms, and peer education. Participants were tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) with whole blood specimens. Questionnaires and laboratory testing data were double entered, and validated with EpiData software. The data were then transferred into SPSS software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) and Chi-square test performed.The prevalence of HIV was 6.6% in 2013, 8.4% in 2014, and 11.2% in 2015. The prevalence of syphilis was 9.3% in 2013, 9.8% in 2014, and 6.1% in 2015. And HCV prevalence was 0.5% in 2013 and remained stable at 0.4% in 2014, and 2015. HIV infection, and associated factors among MSM in these 3 annual cross-sectional survey showed that HIV-infected MSM were significantly, more likely, to perform unprotected anal intercourse with any commercial male partners in the past 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.50-2.20), had sex with any female partners in the past 6 months (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.71), used drugs in the past (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.30-5.71), and are syphilis infected (AOR = 3.53, 95% CI: 2.77-4.49).There is an urgent need for intervention strategies like condom distribution, HIV counseling, free testing, and education regarding safe sex, HIV, and other sex-related diseases in Guangxi to curb, and prevent HIV among MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lan Guanghua
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning
| | - Chen Yi
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning
| | - Tang Shuai
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning
| | - Shen Zhiyong
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning
| | - Tang Zhenzhu
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning
| | - Ruan Yuhua
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Fan Wensheng
- Department of Health Services Administration, Florida International University, Miami, FL
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhang J, Xu JJ, Song W, Pan S, Chu ZX, Hu QH, Yu H, Mao X, Jiang YJ, Geng WQ, Shang H, Wang N. HIV Incidence and Care Linkage among MSM First-Time-Testers in Shenyang, China 2012-2014. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:711-721. [PMID: 28660379 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
HIV testing is the first step to the fulfillment of Treat as Prevention (TasP) and reaching the 90-90-90 goal in HIV control. However, there are still a large number of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) have never been tested for HIV before, and little is known about the HIV incidence and care linkage among this population. A Mixed method was used to recruit MSM who had never tested for HIV before from January 2012 to December 2014 in Shenyang, China. Potential MSM participants were invited to attend the enrollment for HIV and syphilis testing at a general hospital-based voluntary counseling and test (VCT). HIV confirmed positive subjects were further tested by BED HIV-1 capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to determine the HIV incidence. Syphilis was screened by the rapid plasma reagent test (RPR) and confirmed by Treponema pallidum particle assay (TPPA). All the HIV positive subjects were referred to the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and clinics for HIV primary care and follow-ups. In total 646 HIV first-time-testers of MSM (FMSM) attended this study, 73.4% (474/646) were aged under 31-year-old and 57.3% (370/646) and used the Internet as their major cruising avenue for seeking male sexual partners. The average prevalence of HIV and current syphilis infection was 10.8% (70/646) and 11.0% (71/646), respectively. The HIV incidence was 10.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.1-14.5)/100PY. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that factors such as use of the Internet as the major cruising avenue (adjusted OR [AOR] 2.7, 95% CI 0.9-7.6) and having a current syphilis infection (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.8-12.2) were independent correlates of a recent HIV infection. Of the 95 HIV screening test positive FMSM, 73.7% (70/95) returned and be confirmed positive, 92.9% (65/70) of confirmed patients were linked to care. Among those retained and underwent CD4+ T cell test, 76.3% (42/55) started HIV antiretroviral therapy. Among the unconfirmed, 84.0% (21/25) were non-local migrants. The HIV incidence of FMSM in Shenyang was high. Future HIV testing program needs to keep on expanding among the MSM who have never been tested for HIV yet. The Internet-based campaigns and syphilis testing and treatment could represent an opportunity to get access to this hard-to-reach population and link them to HIV care. Future linkage to HIV care of this population should underscore the usage of HIV rapid diagnostic tests to prevent lost at early steps of linkage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Jie Xu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Song
- Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 37, Qishanzhong Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shi Pan
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Xing Chu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hai Hu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Mao
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Jun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Qing Geng
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No 155, Nanjingbei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
- National Center for AIDS/STI Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Nanwei Road, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ning Z, Fu J, Zhuang M, Park JA, Ibragimov U, He N, Wong FY. HIV and syphilis epidemic among MSM and non-MSM aged 50 and above in Shanghai, China: A yearly cross-sectional study, 2008-2014. Glob Public Health 2018; 13:1625-1633. [PMID: 29419357 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2018.1427271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The magnitude of the HIV and syphilis epidemic among Chinese men ages 50 and older is unclear. In this study, we aimed to characterise and compare the prevalence of HIV and syphilis infections; linkage to care among those infected with HIV; and the geographic distribution of the two epidemics among elderly men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-MSM in Shanghai, China. This cross-sectional study involved 12,910 men ages 50 and above who participated in the HIV voluntary and counselling testing programme each year from 2008 to 2014. HIV prevalence among MSM in our sample ranged between 4.9% and 15.4%, while syphilis frequency among non-MSM decreased from 26.0% to 18.7%. Further, in 2014, MSM participants had a higher HIV prevalence than non-MSM (4.9% vs 1.8%), whereas syphilis was higher in older non-MSM compared to MSM (18.7% vs 12.4%). Among those infected with HIV, 121/211 (53.75%) of participants were linked to HIV treatment, where the linkage rate was comparable to that in Kunming [Zhao, S., Zhao, G., Zhang, W., liao, B., Chu C., Wang J., & Li, L. (2015). Compare the difference of efficiency between voluntary counseling testing and provider-initiated testing counseling for identifying HIV/AIDS in Kunming. Chinese Journal of AIDS & STD, 21(7), 623-625]. The high burden of HIV and syphilis among men ages 50 and older in Shanghai, China highlights the need to target older Chinese men, both MSM and non-MSM, with prevention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Ning
- a Department of Epidemiology , Fudan University School of Public Health , Shanghai , People's Republic of China.,b Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control , Shanghai Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention , Shanghai , People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Fu
- b Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control , Shanghai Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention , Shanghai , People's Republic of China
| | - Minghua Zhuang
- b Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control , Shanghai Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention , Shanghai , People's Republic of China
| | - Jason A Park
- c Department of Medicine , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Umedjon Ibragimov
- d Rollins School of Public Health , Emory University , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Na He
- a Department of Epidemiology , Fudan University School of Public Health , Shanghai , People's Republic of China
| | - Frank Y Wong
- a Department of Epidemiology , Fudan University School of Public Health , Shanghai , People's Republic of China.,e Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine , University of Hawai'i at Mānoa , Honolulu , HI , USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Changing Epidemic of HIV and Syphilis Among Resident and Migrant Men Who Have Sex with Men in Jiangsu, China. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9478. [PMID: 28842553 PMCID: PMC5573352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China face high rates of HIV and syphilis infection exacerbated by internal migration. Studies on the differences of HIV and syphilis epidemics changing trends in high-risk behaviors and geographic distribution between resident and migrant MSM in Jiangsu, China were conducted. MSM were recruited from 14 surveillance sites in the serial cross-sectional study. Data on demographics, sexual behaviors, HIV and syphilis prevalence were collected. Participants were classified as residents or migrants based on household registration. During 2010–2014, 19,750 MSM were investigated. Engaged in anal sex (76.3% to 80.2%, P < 0.01) as well as received HIV-related services (72.1% to 79.2%, P < 0.01) were increasing. In contrast, engaged in commercial anal sex with males (7.4% to 5.0%, P < 0.01) and drug use (1.6% to 0.8%, P < 0.01) were decreasing. HIV prevalence ranged between 8.6% to 9.6%, while syphilis prevalence decreased over time (13.4–6.8%, P < 0.01). Further, we found that migrant MSM were more likely to engage in condomless anal sex, also had a higher HIV and syphilis prevalence than resident. During the study period, while syphilis prevalence decreased, higher rates of risk behaviors among migrant MSM called for targeted intervention strategies to reduce the HIV transmission.
Collapse
|
23
|
Liu D, Jiang Z, Xiu C, Li Z, Song Q, Wang Z. Sexually transmitted infection prevalence and related risk factors among heterosexual male methamphetamine users in China. Int J STD AIDS 2017; 28:1208-1214. [PMID: 28178893 DOI: 10.1177/0956462417693165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the association between methamphetamine (MA) abuse and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk among heterosexual male MA users in China. A total of 288 heterosexual male MA users who met our inclusion criteria were recruited from nightclubs, KTVs, bars, bath centres and an STI clinic. STIs were screened among the participants, and the risk factors related to STIs were analysed by multivariate logistic regression in SPSS 11.0. Among the 288 heterosexual male MA users, 51 (17.7%) had syphilis, 36 (12.5%) had genital warts, 2 (0.7%) had genital herpes, 3 (1.0%) had HIV infection and 41 (14.2%) had urethritis. STIs were associated with the following variates: 'MA has the function of anti-inebriation' (OR = 2.522, 95%CI = 1.337-4.756), 'I am addicted to MA' (OR = 4.030, 95%CI = 2.194-7.401), 'It occurred to me to abstain from MA' (OR = 2.939, 95%CI = 1.246-6.934), 'Years of MA abuse' (OR = 2.622, 95%CI = 1.318-5.215), 'Times of MA abuse per week' (OR = 5.275, 95%CI = 1.988-14.002), 'Number of persons using MA together' (OR = 2.579, 95%CI = 1.246-5.340) and 'Number of female sex workers as sex partners per MA abuse' (OR = 4.004, 95%CI = 1.526-10.508). Our findings show that MA users belong to the high-risk group for STI in China. STIs, except for HIV, have spread widely among heterosexual male MA users. Thus, specific interventions must be conducted to prevent the spread of STIs in this population in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dianchang Liu
- 1 Department of STD and Leprosy Prevention and Control, Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenxia Jiang
- 2 Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control, Qingdao Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Cuizhen Xiu
- 2 Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control, Qingdao Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhizhi Li
- 3 Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control, Chengyang Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Qing Song
- 3 Department of HIV/STD Prevention and Control, Chengyang Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhenhong Wang
- 4 Department of Dermatology, The Third hospital of Chengyang, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang X, Jia M, Chen M, Luo H, Chen H, Luo W, Zhang W, Ma Y, Yang C, Yang Y, Zhang X, Dai J, Dong L, Wong WC, Zhao P, Lu L. Prevalence and the associated risk factors of HIV, STIs and HBV among men who have sex with men in Kunming, China. Int J STD AIDS 2017; 28:1115-1123. [PMID: 28120646 DOI: 10.1177/0956462416688818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the prevalence and the associated risk factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kunming, 300 MSM were recruited through community-based organizations between September 2014 and January 2015. The prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) were 17.0%, 7.7%, 11.3%, 18.2% and 13.2%, respectively. In the three different anatomic sites (urethra, rectum and pharynx), the prevalence of rectal CT was the highest (15.5%), whereas NG was most commonly found in the pharynx (8.1%). Low education level, homosexuality, inconsistent condom use and drug use in the previous six months were significantly associated with HIV infection, whereas the former three factors were also associated with HBV infection.Older people (aged ≥ 40 years) and those who lacked knowledge of STIs, and younger people (aged <30 years) as well as inconsistent condom users were more at risk of syphilis and CT infections, respectively. NG infection was only associated with reported dating venues. Our study revealed a heavy disease burden and multiple risk factors of HIV/STIs among MSM in Kunming. It is necessary to promote regular screening and proactive treatment of HIV/STIs among MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiujie Zhang
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Manhong Jia
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Min Chen
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Hongbing Luo
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Huichao Chen
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Luo
- 2 Department of AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Kunming Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Wanyue Zhang
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Yanling Ma
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Chaojun Yang
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaobin Zhang
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Jie Dai
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Lijuan Dong
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - William Cw Wong
- 3 Department Family Medicine and Primary Care, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- 4 WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | - Lin Lu
- 1 Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Xu JJ, Yu YQ, Hu QH, Yan HJ, Wang Z, Lu L, Zhuang MH, Chen X, Fu JH, Tang WM, Geng WQ, Jiang YJ, Shang H. Treatment-seeking behaviour and barriers to service access for sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men in China: a multicentre cross-sectional survey. Infect Dis Poverty 2017; 6:15. [PMID: 28095879 PMCID: PMC5242014 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delayed or inappropriate treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) increases the risk of HIV acquisition and may cause other harmful outcomes. However, studies on STD treatment-seeking behaviour and correlated factors in men who have sex with men (MSM) are scarce. This information is crucial for the promotion of STD treatment-seeking behaviour and reduction of HIV transmission among Chinese MSM. METHODS During 2012-2013, a multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in 7 Chinese cities. Participants completed an interview-questionnaire and gave venous blood samples, which were then tested for antibodies to HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). MSM who tested positive for syphilis/HSV-2 or had obvious STD-related symptoms within the last 12 months were defined as suspected STD-infected MSM. RESULTS Of the 4 496 eligible MSM who completed this survey, 24.4% (1 096/4 496) were categorized as suspected STD-infected MSM. 35.7% (391/1 096) of these MSM with suspected STD infections sought STD treatment in clinics within the last 12 months. Among MSM who did not attend STD clinics for treatment, the prevalence of syphilis and HSV-2 was significantly higher; the HIV prevalence and incidence within this subpopulation reached as high as 14.5% and 12.2/100 person-years, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that having 7-12 years of education (vs. ≤6 years; aOR, 2.5; 95%CI, 1.0-6.1), ≥13 years of education (vs. ≤6 years: aOR, 2.8; 95%CI, 1.2-7.0), monthly income >500 USD (vs. ≤500 USD: aOR, 1.5; 95%CI, 1.1-2.1), obvious STD-related symptoms within last 12 months (aOR, 5.3; 95%CI, 3.7-7.5), being HIV infected (aOR, 1.7; 95%CI, 1.1-2.6), currently syphilis infected (aOR, 0.6; 95%CI, 0.4-0.9) and HSV-2 infected (aOR, 0.6; 95%CI, 0.5-0.9) were independent correlates with seeking STD treatment in clinics among Chinese MSM. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of STD infection coupled with a low proportion of individuals who exhibit appropriate treatment-seeking behaviour create a high risk of a growing HIV epidemic among Chinese MSM. Models that prioritize better screening for and education about STDs should be urgently implemented, especially among low-income MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jie Xu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Qiu Yu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hai Hu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Jing Yan
- Jiangsu Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- He’nan Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Yunnan Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Ming-Hua Zhuang
- Shanghai Municipal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Hu’nan Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha, China
| | - Ji-Hua Fu
- Shandong Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Wei-Ming Tang
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Qing Geng
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Jun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dai W, Luo Z, Xu R, Zhao G, Tu D, Yang L, Wang F, Cai Y, Lan L, Hong F, Yang T, Feng T. Prevalence of HIV and syphilis co-infection and associated factors among non-commercial men who have sex with men attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Shenzhen, China. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:86. [PMID: 28100187 PMCID: PMC5241916 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2187-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although HIV and syphilis co-infection has been frequently observed in men who have sex with men (MSM), only few studies have focused on it. Different subgroups of MSM might exhibit heterogeneous HIV and syphilis risk profiles, indicating that interventions for HIV and HIV-related co-infections may vary with different subgroups of MSM. However, no previous study has investigated HIV and syphilis co-infection among non-commercial MSM (ncMSM) attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the prevalence of HIV and syphilis co-infection and associated factors among ncMSM attending an STD clinic in Shenzhen, China. METHODS NcMSM attending the STD clinic of Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control were recruited in this cross-sectional study every Monday between March 2013 and August 2015 using a site based convenience sampling method. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors and HIV-related knowledge. Blood samples were collected to perform HIV and syphilis tests. RESULTS Totally 533 participants were enrolled in this study and the prevalence of HIV and syphilis co-infection among them was 13.13%. Multivariable analyses indicated that having lived in Shenzhen for less than one year (aOR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.30-6.05), having first anal sexual intercourse before the age of 18 (aOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.29-5.89), having 3 to 5 anal sexual partners in the past six months (aOR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.19-5.40), playing exclusively receptive (aOR = 6.87, 95% CI = 3.02-15.61) or both insertive and receptive (aOR = 3.65, 95% CI = 1.64-8.09) roles in anal sexual intercourse and not always using condom in anal sexual intercourse (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.08-4.19) were associated risk factors for HIV and syphilis co-infection, relative to the non-infected ncMSM. Compared with the mono-infected ncMSM, associated risk factors for the co-infection were being unmarried (aOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.03-5.89) and playing exclusively receptive role (aOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.04-5.73) in anal sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS HIV and syphilis co-infection is quite prevalent among the study participants in Shenzhen. Integrated and intensified intervention strategies, specifically targeting at the non-infected and mono-infected ncMSM attending the STD clinic, are needed to reduce HIV and syphilis co-infection. Most importantly, non-infected and mono-infected ncMSM attending the STD clinic with the aforementioned associated risk factors should be given special concern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Dai
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Zhenzhou Luo
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
- Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Ruiwei Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Guanglu Zhao
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Dan Tu
- Graduate School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Yumao Cai
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Lina Lan
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Fuchang Hong
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Tubao Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Tiejian Feng
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang Y, Wang Z, Jia M, Liang A, Yuan D, Sun Z, Gan F, Wang Y, Cai Y, Zhang Z. Association between a syndemic of psychosocial problems and unprotected anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:46. [PMID: 28061819 PMCID: PMC5219803 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-2132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have discussed the overlapping and reinforcing effects (defined as a syndemic) of psychosocial problems on high-risk sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM). The present study aimed to apply the syndemic theory to verify the reinforcing effects of psychosocial problems on unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among MSM in Shanghai, and determine if other important psychosocial factors fit into the syndemic theory. Methods Data were collected from 547 MSM in Shanghai, China, through face-to-face interviews. The measures for psychosocial problems included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale; and the Sexual Compulsivity Scale. We used multivariate analysis and binary logistic regression to investigate the associations between psychosocial problems and high-risk sexual behaviors. Results The prevalence of UAI among MSM in the past 6 months was 54.5%. Education (graduate from college vs. high school) served as a protective factor against UAI (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38–0.94). There was a high prevalence of psychosocial problems, and at least one-third of participants reported experiencing more than two psychosocial symptoms. Of these psychosocial factors that we investigated, lower self-esteem was associated with UAI in both univariate and multivariate regression model (P = 0.009). Result suggests that overlapping and reinforcing effects of psychosocial problems may increase high risk sexual behaviors among MSM in Shanghai, China (OR 1.65, 95% CI: 1.09–2.50; P = 0.018). Conclusions We found further evidence for a syndemic of psychosocial problems among MSM in Shanghai, China. This syndemic may also increase high risk sexual behaviors among MSM. Most HIV prevention interventions are focused on behavior change and only have moderate effects; our findings suggest that a shift from behavior-focused interventions to a more comprehensive strategy that addresses psychosocial factors may be necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Public Health, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zezhou Wang
- School of Public Health, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mengmeng Jia
- School of Public Health, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ajuan Liang
- Renji Hospital, affiliated with School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Dong Yuan
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Zhe Sun
- School of Public Health, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Feng Gan
- School of Continuing Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yichen Wang
- Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yong Cai
- School of Public Health, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Zhiruo Zhang
- School of Public Health, affiliated with School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Li J, Mo PKH, Wu AMS, Lau JTF. Roles of Self-Stigma, Social Support, and Positive and Negative Affects as Determinants of Depressive Symptoms Among HIV Infected Men who have Sex with Men in China. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:261-273. [PMID: 26896120 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1321-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Poor mental health was prevalent among HIV positive men who have sex with men (HIVMSM), and a tremendous burden extents on their families and society. The present study investigated the prevalence of depression and its relationship with social support, HIV self-stigma, positive affect and negative affect among 321 HIVMSM in Chengdu, China. The study was conducted during July 2013 through October 2013. Findings showed that 55.8 % of the participants had mild to severe depression. The results of structural equation modeling showed that social support and positive affect were negatively associated with depression, while HIV self-stigma and negative affect were positively associated with depression. Social support, positive affect, and negative affect mediated the association between HIV self-stigma and depression. The hypothesized model had a satisfactory fit. Interventions improving mental health among this population are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Li
- Division of Behavioral Health and Health Promotion, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Phoenix K H Mo
- Division of Behavioral Health and Health Promotion, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anise M S Wu
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Joseph T F Lau
- Division of Behavioral Health and Health Promotion, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
- Centre for Medical Anthropology and Behavioral Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Centre for Health Behaviours Research, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zhang C, Qian HZ, Yin L, Liu Y, Strauss SM, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Lu H, Vermund SH. Sexual Behaviors Linked to Drug and Alcohol Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China. Subst Use Misuse 2016; 51:1821-30. [PMID: 27608264 PMCID: PMC5423713 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1197264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-risk sexual behaviors drive the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Alcohol consumption and use of club drugs may increase sexual risk behaviors. We evaluated effects of drug and alcohol use on sexual behaviors with both their male and female partners as well as on HIV and syphilis infections among MSM in China. METHODS As the part of a community randomized clinical trial that conducted among MSM in Beijing from 2013 to 2015, we recruited a total of 3,680 participants cross-sectionally. A self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect information regarding demographics, sexual behaviors, and a history of alcohol and drug use. Blood sample was collected for HIV and syphilis testing. RESULTS A total of 3,588 MSM completed the survey and were included in the data analysis. The mean age was 29.9 with 97.3% of Han-ethnicity and 85.0% unmarried. The HIV and syphilis prevalence was 12.7% and 7.4%, respectively. Drug use was significantly associated with higher odds of HIV infection (aOR = 1.3, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.0,1.6), but not associated with syphilis. A higher level of alcohol consumption was similarly associated with higher odds of HIV risks with both male (e.g., condomless sex acts) and female partners (e.g., numbers of sexual partners). CONCLUSION The association between drug and alcohol use and high-risk behaviors is notable among MSM in China. Integrated HIV interventions that target substance use among MSM may be more effective than programs that only target HIV alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA.,b Division of Epidemiology , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Lu Yin
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Yu Liu
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Shiela M Strauss
- c College of Nursing , New York University , New York , New York , USA
| | - Yuhua Ruan
- d State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID) , Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases , Beijing , China
| | - Yiming Shao
- d State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID) , Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases , Beijing , China
| | - Hongyan Lu
- e Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China
| | - Sten H Vermund
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA.,f Department of Pediatrics , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhang C, Liu Y, Sun X, Wang J, Lu HY, He X, Zhang H, Ruan YH, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Qian HZ. Substance use and HIV-risk behaviors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in China: repeated measures in a cohort study design. AIDS Care 2016; 29:644-653. [PMID: 27832699 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1255709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Global literature revealed that seropositive men who have sex with men (MSM) posed an even higher risk compared to their seronegative counterparts. Identifying risk factors that contribute to HIV-risk behaviors will help to curb the rapid HIV transmission among this group. Our hypothesis was that MSM with substance use were more likely to conduct HIV-risk behaviors, even after accounting for repeated measures. In the current study, we employed a cohort study design by following a group of 367 HIV-positive MSM up to four visits for one year to collect information regarding their sexual behaviors and history of substance use in the past three months. We used Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models to account both within- and between-subject variation when assessing associations between substance use and HIV-risk behaviors. A total of 367 MSM were included at the baseline with a mean age of 29.6 years. After accounting for potential confounders and time-varying effects, our models indicated that drug and alcohol use increase HIV risks at the population level by increasing risks of drinking alcohol before sex, having unprotected sex with men and seropositive partners, having more lifetime female sex partners and having a higher number of male sexual partners in the past three months. The current study is one of the first studies with repeated measures to evaluate the association between substance use and sexual risk behaviors among MSM in China. Findings in the current study have several implications for future research. We call for more rigorous study design for future research to better capture changes of risky behaviors among this at-risk population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Yu Liu
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Xiaoyun Sun
- b Xicheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- c Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Yan Lu
- d Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong He
- d Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Zhang
- e State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID) , Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Hua Ruan
- f Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention (NCAIDS) , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Shao
- g Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Sten H Vermund
- a Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- h Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Liu Y, Ruan Y, Strauss SM, Yin L, Liu H, Amico KR, Zhang C, Shao Y, Qian HZ, Vermund SH. Alcohol misuse, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV or syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 168:239-246. [PMID: 27723554 PMCID: PMC5523945 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have employed standardized alcohol misuse measures to assess relationships with sexual risk and HIV/syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among MSM in Beijing during 2013-2014. An interviewer-administered survey was conducted to collect data on sociodemographics, high-risk behaviors, and alcohol use/misuse patterns (hazardous/binge drinking and risk of alcohol dependence) in the past 3 months using Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). We defined AUDIT-C score ≥4 as recent hazardous drinkers, and drinking ≥6 standard drinks on one occasion as recent binge drinkers. RESULTS Of 3588 participants, 14.4% reported hazardous drinking, 16.8% reported binge drinking. Hazardous and binge drinking are both associated with these factors (p<0.05): older age, being migrants, living longer in Beijing, township/village origin, being employed, higher income, self-perceived low/no HIV risk, and sex-finding via non-Internet venues. Hazardous (vs non-hazardous) or binge (vs. non-binge) drinkers were more likely to use illicit drugs, use alcohol before sex, have multiple partnerships, pay for sex, and have condomless insertive anal intercourse. MSM who reported binge (AOR, 1.34, 95% CI, 1.02-1.77) or hazardous (AOR, 1.36, 95% CI, 1.02-1.82) drinking were more likely to be HIV-infected. MSM at high risk of current alcohol dependence (AUDIT-C ≥8) were more likely to be HIV- (AOR, 2.37, 95% CI, 1.39-4.04) or syphilis-infected (AOR, 1.96, 95% CI, 1.01-3.86). CONCLUSIONS Recent alcohol misuse was associated with increased sexual and HIV/syphilis risks among Chinese MSM, emphasizing the needs of implementing alcohol risk reduction programs in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
| | - Yuhua Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID), Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shiela M. Strauss
- The Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lu Yin
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
| | - Hongjie Liu
- The Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - K. Rivet Amico
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Chen Zhang
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
| | - Yiming Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID), Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sten H. Vermund
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
HIV epidemiology and responses among men who have sex with men and transgender individuals in China: a scoping review. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:588. [PMID: 27765021 PMCID: PMC5073436 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite global efforts to control HIV among key populations, new infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) individuals are still increasing. The increasing HIV epidemic among MSM/TG in China indicates that more effective services are urgently needed. However, policymakers and program managers must have a clear understanding of MSM/TG sexual health in China to improve service delivery. To meet this need, we undertook a scoping review to summarize HIV epidemiology and responses among MSM and TG individuals in China. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for recent studies on MSM/TG HIV epidemiology and responses. We also included supplemental articles, grey literature, government reports, policy documents, and best practice guidelines. RESULTS Overall, HIV prevalence among Chinese MSM was approximately 8 % in 2015 with a higher prevalence observed in Southwest China. TG are not captured in national HIV, STD, or other sexual health surveillance systems. There is limited data sharing between the public health authorities and community-based organizations (CBOs). Like other low and middle income countries, China is challenged by low rates of HIV testing, linkage, and retention. Several pilot interventions have been shown to be effective to increase HIV testing among MSM and TG individuals, but have not been widely scaled up. Data from two randomized controlled trials suggests that crowdsourcing contests can increase HIV testing, creating demand for services while engaging communities. CONCLUSION Improving HIV surveillance and expanding HIV interventions for Chinese MSM and TG individuals are essential. Further implementation research is needed to ensure high-quality HIV services for MSM and TG individuals in China.
Collapse
|
33
|
Roberts CP, Klausner JD. Global challenges in human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis coinfection among men who have sex with men. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2016; 14:1037-1046. [PMID: 27626361 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2016.1236683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), and the rate of coinfection has been increasing over the last decade. HIV and syphilis coinfection is particularly challenging because the infections interact synergistically thereby increasing the risk of acquisition and transmission as well as accelerating disease progression. Areas covered: This paper reviews and summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical management and prevention of HIV and syphilis coinfection among MSM. Expert commentary: Research does not support a different syphilis treatment for coinfected individuals; however, coinfection may warrant a recommendation for antiretroviral therapy. In order to reverse the epidemic of syphilis and HIV coinfection, there needs to be greater awareness, improved cultural sensitivity among health care providers, improved access to preventative services and increased screening for syphilis and HIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea P Roberts
- a David Geffen School of Medicine , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- a David Geffen School of Medicine , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles , CA , USA.,b Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine , University of California, Los Angeles , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wang AL, Peng RR, Tucker JD, Chakraborty H, Cohen MS, Chen XS. Optimizing Partner Notification Programs for Men Who Have Sex with Men: Factorial Survey Results from South China. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157749. [PMID: 27462724 PMCID: PMC4963097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Syphilis is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Syphilis partner notification (PN) programs targeting MSM has been considered as one of effective strategies to prevention and control of the infection in the population. We examined willingness and preferences for PN among MSM to measure feasibility and optimize uptake. Methods Participation in a syphilis PN program was measured using a factorial survey from both the perspective of the index patient and the partner. Respondents were recruited from April-July 2011 using convenience sampling at two sites—a MSM sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic and a MSM community based organization (CBO). Respondents first evaluated three factorial survey vignettes to measure probability of participation and then an anonymous sociodemographic questionnaire. A two-level mixed linear model was fitted for the factorial survey analysis. Results In 372 respondents with mean age (± SD) 28.5 (± 6.0) years, most were single (82.0%) and closeted gays (66.7%). The Internet was the most frequent place to search for sex. Few (31.2%) had legal names for casual partners, but most had instant messenger (86.5%) and mobile phone numbers (77.7%). The mean probability of participation in a syphilis PN program was 64.5% (± 32.4%) for index patients and 63.7% (± 32.6%) for partners. Referral of the partner to a private clinic or MSM CBO for follow-up decreased participation compared to the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or public STD clinic. Conclusions Enhanced PN services may be feasible among MSM in South China. Internet and mobile phone PN may contact partners untraceable by traditional PN. Referral of partners to the local CDC or public STD clinic may maximize PN participation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberta L. Wang
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Joseph D. Tucker
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Hrishikesh Chakraborty
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Myron S. Cohen
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease Control, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Black V, Williams BG, Maseko V, Radebe F, Rees HV, Lewis DA. Field evaluation of Standard Diagnostics' Bioline HIV/Syphilis Duo test among female sex workers in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sex Transm Infect 2016; 92:495-498. [PMID: 27154184 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care tests provide immediate results with the opportunity for same-day interventions with improved public health outcomes. A dual HIV/syphilis test enables early treatment of both diseases. METHODS We conducted a field evaluation of the Standard Diagnostics' SD Bioline HIV/Syphilis Duo test (SD Bioline) among female sex workers. SD Bioline was conducted on finger-prick blood according to manufacturer's instructions and compared with (i) Genscreen HIV1/2 (third generation) and Vironostika Ag/Ab (fourth generation) assays for HIV, and (ii) Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) assays for syphilis. A negative TPPA test was considered negative, a TPPA-confirmed RPR titre ≤1:4 as past infection and a TPPA-confirmed RPR titre ≥1:8 as active syphilis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS Of 263 women recruited, 14 (5.3%) declined an HIV test. Among the remaining 249 women, 187 (75.1%) were HIV positive, 51 (20.5%) had syphilis antibodies with seven (2.8%) active infections. For HIV, the sensitivity and specificity were 98.9% (95% CI 95.8% to 99.8%) and 100% (95% CI 92.7% to 100%). For syphilis, the sensitivity and specificity were 66.7% (95% CI 52.0% to 78.9%) and 98.0% (95% CI 94.5% to 99.3%). Sera with high TPPA titres were more likely to test positive. CONCLUSIONS In field conditions, while the SD Bioline test has high sensitivity and specificity for HIV and high specificity for syphilis, the test has lower sensitivity for syphilis than reported from laboratory evaluations. As the dual test detects only two thirds of syphilis cases, it should only be used in areas with weak screening programmes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Black
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Brian G Williams
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Venessa Maseko
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Frans Radebe
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Helen V Rees
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - David A Lewis
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Anal HPV/HIV co-infection among Men Who Have Sex with Men: a cross-sectional survey from three cities in China. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21368. [PMID: 26892938 PMCID: PMC4759533 DOI: 10.1038/srep21368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is linked to anal warts and anal cancer, is common among men who have sex with men (MSM), especially among those HIV positives. MSM aged 18 years or older were recruited from mainland China. Blood and anal cytologic samples were collected for HIV-1 serological test and HPV genotyping. A total of 889 eligible participations were included. The genotyping results of HPV were available for 822 participants (92.46%), 65.32% of which were positive for the targeted 37 HPV types. Prevalence of infection with any type of HPV was higher among HIV-infected participants (82.69%) as compared to HIV-uninfected participants (62.81%) (p < 0.01). HPV06 (15.45%), HPV18(13.50%), HPV16 (11.44%), and HPV11 (10.71%) were the most frequent types identified in the study population. Ever had paid sex with man was found to be independent predictor for HPV positivity with an adjusted odds ratios (OR) of 2.34 (1.16–4.74). Anal HPV positivity was observed to be independently associated with HIV infection with an adjusted OR of 3.03 (1.76–5.21) in the study population. In conclusion, the prevalence of anal HPV infection was observed to be common among MSM from mainland China, and it was significantly associated with the status of HIV infection.
Collapse
|
37
|
Liu Y, Ruan Y, Vermund SH, Osborn CY, Wu P, Jia Y, Shao Y, Qian HZ. Predictors of antiretroviral therapy initiation: a cross-sectional study among Chinese HIV-infected men who have sex with men. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:570. [PMID: 26714889 PMCID: PMC4696158 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1309-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is crucial to achieve HIV viral suppression and reduce transmission. HIV-infected Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) were less likely to initiate ART than other HIV-infected individuals. We assessed predictors of ART initiation among Chinese MSM. Methods In 2010–2011, a cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Beijing, China. We examined ART initiation within the subgroup who were diagnosed with HIV infection prior to participation in the survey. Logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with ART initiation. The eligibility criterion in the 2010/2011 national HIV treatment guidelines was CD4 cell count <350 cells/μL or World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage III/IV. Results Of 238 eligible HIV-infected participants, the median duration of HIV infection was 15 months (range: 31 days-12 years); 62 (26.1 %) had initiated ART. Among 103 men with CD4 counts <350 cells/μL, 38 (36.9 %) initiated ART. Being married to a woman (adjusted odd ratios [aOR]: 2.50; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-5.87), longer duration of HIV infection (aOR: 10.71; 95 % CI: 3.66-31.32), and syphilis co-infection (aOR: 2.58; 95 % CI: 1.04-6.37) were associated with a higher likelihood of ART initiation. Of 135 men with CD4 count ≥350 cells/μL, 24 (18 %) initiated ART. Being married to a woman (aOR: 4.21; 95 % CI: 1.60-11.06), longer duration of HIV infection (aOR: 22.4; 95 % CI: 2.79-180), older age (aOR: 1.26; 95 % CI: 1.1-1.44), Beijing Hukou (aOR: 4.93; 95 % CI: 1.25-19.33), presence of AIDS-like clinical symptoms (aOR: 3.97; 95 % CI: 1.32-14.0), and history of sexually transmitted infections (aOR: 4.93; 95 % CI: 1.25-19.43) were associated with ART initiation. Compared with men who did not initiated ART, those with ART were more likely to receive counseling on benefits of ART (96.8 % vs. 66.4 %, P = 0 < 0.01), HIV stigma coping strategy (75.8 % vs. 65.9 %, P = 0.04), mental health (66.1 % vs. 52.9 %, P = 0.02), and substance use (46.7 % vs. 36.6 %, P = 0.04). Conclusions We documented low rates of ART initiation among Chinese MSM. Policy changes for expanding ART eligibility and interventions to improve the continuum of HIV care are in progress in China. Impact evaluations can help assess continuing barriers to ART initiation among MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Yuhua Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID), Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing, China.
| | - Sten H Vermund
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Chandra Y Osborn
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Pingsheng Wu
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. .,Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Yujiang Jia
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Yiming Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (SKLID), Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing, China.
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Pan X, Wu M, Ma Q, Wang H, Ma W, Zeng S, Chen J, Zhang Y, Miao D, Zhou X, Jiang T, He L, Xia Y, Peng Z, Xia S. High prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men in Zhejiang, China: a respondent-driven sampling survey. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e008466. [PMID: 26656982 PMCID: PMC4679937 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the prevalence of HIV and risk behaviours among men who have sex with men (MSM) and to explore the feasibility of using respondent-driven sampling in this population in order to conduct customised interventions among MSM in the future. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Zhejiang, China. PARTICIPANTS 1316 MSM. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES HIV prevalence rates and factors associated with HIV infection; sociodemographic and behavioural information of participants, syphilis prevalence rates. RESULTS The adjusted prevalence of HIV and syphilis were 13.8% and 11.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that higher educational level, support treatment of HIV, negative syphilis are protective factors of HIV infection. MSM who had heterosexual behaviour before and whose primary sexual partner was HIV-positive were less likely to be infected with HIV compared with their counterparts, while frequency of sexual behaviour with primary sexual partner was positively associated with HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS This survey confirmed a high HIV prevalence among MSM in Zhejiang province. MSM are extremely vulnerable to HIV infection and comprehensive interventions are urgently needed to slow the spread of HIV among MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Pan
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minni Wu
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiaoqin Ma
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenzhe Ma
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shidian Zeng
- Wenzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfang Chen
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Ningbo Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dandan Miao
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin He
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Xia
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhihang Peng
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shichang Xia
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Infection among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women in China: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:850132. [PMID: 26779538 PMCID: PMC4686633 DOI: 10.1155/2015/850132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To understand the current risk of HIV infection and transmission and further elucidate the underlying risk factors among men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) in China. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of searching through Chinese and English available literature databases between January 2000 and June 2014 to identify articles. RESULTS Thirty-six articles (including 19,730 MSMW and 53,536 MSMO) met the selection criteria and the aggregated results found that MSMW have significantly higher HIV prevalence than MSMO (6.6% versus 5.4%, OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01-1.58). A higher proportion of MSMW had commercial male partners in the past 6 months (18.3% versus 12.2%, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.01-2.42). Additionally, substance use in the past 6 months was significantly more frequent among MSMW than MSMO (alcohol use: 27.1% versus 13.1%, OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.14-2.99; illicit drug use: 5.3% versus 2.5%, OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.48-2.95). CONCLUSION A higher proportion of commercial sex and substance use among MSMW may be a potentially indicative factor for significantly higher HIV prevalence compared to MSMO. Targeted interventions should aim at increasing the frequency of HIV/STIs screening and preventing high risk commercial sex and substance use among MSMW to decrease their HIV transmission to the general population.
Collapse
|
40
|
Yang CJ, Tang HJ, Chang SY, Hsieh SM, Lee KY, Lee YT, Sheng WH, Yang SP, Hung CC, Chang SC. Comparison of serological responses to single-dose azithromycin (2 g) versus benzathine penicillin G in the treatment of early syphilis in HIV-infected patients in an area of low prevalence of macrolide-resistant Treponema pallidum infection. J Antimicrob Chemother 2015; 71:775-82. [PMID: 26604241 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkv379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Effectiveness of single-dose azithromycin (2 g) in the treatment of early syphilis among HIV-infected patients has rarely been evaluated in the era of combination ART. METHODS Consecutive HIV-infected patients with early syphilis, who received 2 g single-dose azithromycin or 2.4 MU benzathine penicillin G, between 2007 and 2014, were prospectively observed. Genotypic resistance to macrolides was determined in Treponema pallidum isolates identified from clinical specimens using PCR assays. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titres were determined at baseline and every 3 months after treatment. Primary outcome was a decline of RPR titre by ≥4-fold at 12 months after treatment. RESULTS During the study period, 162 HIV-infected patients with early syphilis received benzathine penicillin G and 237 patients received azithromycin. At 12 months follow-up, the serological response rate for penicillin and azithromycin groups was 61.1% and 56.5% (P = 0.41), respectively; respective response rate was 61.1% and 65.9% (P = 0.49) if we only included patients infected with T. pallidum not harbouring macrolide resistance in the azithromycin group. In multivariate analysis, RPR titres ≥1:32 (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.55-4.21) and prior syphilis (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.35-0.81) were predictors of serological response. Most common adverse effects of azithromycin included diarrhoea (52.7%), nausea (22.4%), abdominal pain (18.6%), bloating (17.7%) and lassitude/somnolence (27.4%). CONCLUSIONS In the setting of a low prevalence of macrolide-resistant T. pallidum, 2 g single-dose azithromycin achieved a similar serological response to benzathine penicillin G in HIV-infected patients with early syphilis. Major adverse effects of azithromycin were gastrointestinal symptoms and lassitude/somnolence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jui Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Jen Tang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan Department of Health and Nutrition, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Sciences, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Min Hsieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yeh Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ti Lee
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University and Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Huei Sheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Center of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Ping Yang
- Center of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ching Hung
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Chwen Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Gállego-Lezáun C, Arrizabalaga Asenjo M, González-Moreno J, Ferullo I, Teslev A, Fernández-Vaca V, Payeras Cifre A. Syphilis in Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Warning Sign for HIV Infection. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.adengl.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
|
42
|
Liu Y, Sun X, Qian HZ, Yin L, Yan Z, Wang L, Jiang S, Lu H, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Amico KR. Qualitative Assessment of Barriers and Facilitators of Access to HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2015; 29:481-9. [PMID: 26186029 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2015.0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of HIV is the entry point into the continuum of HIV care; a well-recognized necessary condition for the ultimate prevention of onward transmission. In China, HIV testing rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) are low compared to other high risk subgroups, yet experiences with HIV testing among MSM in China are not well understood. To address this gap and prepare for intervention development to promote HIV testing and rapid linkage to treatment, six focus groups (FGs) were conducted with MSM in Beijing (40 HIV-positive MSM participated in one of four FGs and 20 HIV-negative or status unknown MSM participated in one of two FGs). Major themes reported as challenges to HIV testing included stigma and discrimination related to HIV and homosexuality, limited HIV knowledge, inconvenient clinic times, not knowing where to get a free test, fear of positive diagnosis or nosocomial infection, perceived low service quality, and concerns/doubts about HIV services. Key facilitators included compensation, peer support, professionalism, comfortable testing locations, rapid testing, referral and support after diagnosis, heightened sense of risk through engagement in high-risk behaviors, sense of responsibility to protect self, family and partner support, and publicity via social media. Themes and recommendations were generally consistent across HIV-positive and negative/status unknown groups, although examples of enacted stigma were more prevalent in the HIV-positive groups. Findings from our study provide policy suggestions for how to bolster current HIV prevention intervention efforts to enhance 'test-and-treat' strategies for Chinese MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Xiaoyun Sun
- Xicheng District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Medicine (Division of Epidemiology), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Lu Yin
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Zheng Yan
- Xicheng District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shulin Jiang
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Lu
- Beijing City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhua Ruan
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Shao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Sten H. Vermund
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Pediatrics (Division of Infectious Diseases), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - K. Rivet Amico
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gállego-Lezáun C, Arrizabalaga Asenjo M, González-Moreno J, Ferullo I, Teslev A, Fernández-Vaca V, Payeras Cifre A. Syphilis in Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Warning Sign for HIV Infection. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2015; 106:740-5. [PMID: 26188931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM) in an area of Mallorca, Spain. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of syphilis cases in MSM seen at a hospital in Mallorca between January 2005 and June 2013. RESULTS Fifty-five cases of syphilis were recorded in MSM during the study period (34.3% of all cases diagnosed), and 74.5% of these patients had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. The two diseases had been diagnosed simultaneously in 70.7% of this population. Patients with HIV coinfection had a median CD4 count of 456cells/μL (range, 29-979 cells/μL). Syphilis was diagnosed clinically in 49.1% of cases and by screening in the remaining 50.9%. The most common form of syphilis was late latent or indeterminate syphilis (41.9% of cases). In the group of men with syphilis, MSM had a higher risk of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS A majority of MSM with syphilis had HIV coinfection. HIV screening is therefore essential in this population and could even result in early diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Gállego-Lezáun
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, España.
| | | | | | - I Ferullo
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, España
| | - A Teslev
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, España
| | - V Fernández-Vaca
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, España
| | - A Payeras Cifre
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, España
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Yang CJ, Chang SY, Wu BR, Yang SP, Liu WC, Wu PY, Zhang JY, Luo YZ, Hung CC, Chang SC. Unexpectedly high prevalence of Treponema pallidum infection in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with early syphilis who had engaged in unprotected sex practices. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:787.e1-7. [PMID: 25964151 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Between 2010 and 2014, we obtained swab specimens to detect Treponema pallidum, with PCR assays, from the oral cavities of 240 patients with 267 episodes of syphilis who reported engaging in unprotected sex practices. The detected treponemal DNA was subjected to genotyping. All of the syphilis cases occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM), and 242 (90.6%) occurred in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. The stages of syphilis included 38 cases (14.2%) of primary syphilis of the genital region, 76 (28.5%) of secondary syphilis, 21 (7.9%) of primary and secondary syphilis, 125 (46.8%) of early latent syphilis, and seven (2.6%) others. Concurrent oral ulcers were identified in 22 cases (8.2%). Treponemal DNA was identified from the swabs of 113 patients (42.2%), including 15 (68.2%) with oral ulcers. The most common genotype of T. pallidum was 14f/f. The presence of oral ulcers was associated with identification of T. pallidum in the swab specimens (15/22 (68.2%) vs. 98/245 (40.0%)) (p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, secondary syphilis (adjusted OR 6.79; 95% CI 1.97-23.28) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titres of ≥1: 32 (adjusted OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.02-4.89) were independently associated with the presence of treponemal DNA in patients without oral ulcers. We conclude that detection of treponemal DNA in the oral cavity with PCR assays is not uncommon in MSM, most of whom reported having unprotected oral sex. Although the presence of oral ulcers is significantly associated with detection of treponemal DNA, treponemal DNA is more likely to be identified in patients without oral ulcers who present with secondary syphilis and RPR titres of ≥1: 32.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C-J Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Healthcare Administration, Oriental Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - S-Y Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - B-R Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S-P Yang
- Centre of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W-C Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - P-Y Wu
- Centre of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J-Y Zhang
- Centre of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-Z Luo
- Centre of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-C Hung
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - S-C Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Yan H, Yang H, Raymond HF, Li J, Shi LE, Huan X, Wei C. Experiences and correlates of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in Jiangsu province, China. AIDS Behav 2015; 19:485-91. [PMID: 25480598 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-014-0968-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Substantial numbers of Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) do not access facility-based HIV testing. Self-testing could promote testing uptake among this population. We describe experiences and identify correlates of self-testing among Chinese MSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM in Jiangsu from November 2013 to January 2014. Participants were recruited through time-location sampling and from online. Participants were asked a series of questions about HIV self-testing uptake and associated experiences. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of having ever self-tested for HIV. Of 522 participants, 26.2 % had ever self-tested. Finger stick was the most common self-testing modality (86.1 %). A majority of participants reported that it was "very easy" (43.1 %) or "somewhat easy" (34.3 %) to perform self-testing while lower proportions reported "very confident" (24.1 %) or "somewhat confident" (36.5 %) in the accuracy of their test results. Having ever self-tested was significantly associated with having had 2-5 and 6 or more male anal sex partners in the past 6 months (AOR 2.12, 95 % CI 1.00, 4.49; AOR 4.95, 95 % CI 1.90, 12.87), having ever tested for HIV (AOR 4.56, 95 % CI 1.66, 12.55), and having a friend or friends who self-tested (AOR 7.32, 95 % CI 3.57, 15.00). HIV self-testing can reach untested Chinese MSM and/or increase testing frequency. Peer- or social network-based interventions could futher help encourage self-testing. Monitoring systems should be strengthened to ensure the quality of self-testing kits and provision of essential support services, including post-test counseling and linkage-to-care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjing Yan
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhao Y, Zhang L, Zhang H, Xia D, Pan SW, Yue H, Lu H, Xing H, He X, Shao Y, Ruan Y. HIV testing and preventive services accessibility among men who have sex with men at high risk of HIV infection in Beijing, China. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e534. [PMID: 25674755 PMCID: PMC4602732 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been increasing at an alarming rate in most areas of China in recent years. Many Chinese MSM still lack sufficient access to HIV prevention services, despite ongoing scale-up of comprehensive HIV testing and intervention services. The purpose of this study was to investigate utilization of HIV testing and prevention services, and related factors that influence the MSM people to access HIV test or other services to prevent HIV among MSM in Beijing, China.Three successive cross-sectional surveys of MSM were conducted in Beijing from September 2009 to January 2010, September 2010 to January 2011, and September 2011 to January 2012. Demographic and behavioral data were collected and analyzed. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis. Three models were established to analyze factors associated with HIV testing and preventive services.Of the 1312 participants, prevalence of HIV and syphilis was 7.9% and 15.4%, respectively. Sixty-nine percent ever had an HIV test, 56.2%, 78.7%, and 46.1% received HIV test, free condom/lubricants, and sexually transmitted infection services in the past 12 months (P12M), respectively. MSM with larger social networks and who knew someone infected with HIV were more likely to receive HIV testing and preventive services; lower degrees of stigma and discriminatory attitudes toward HIV/AIDS were positively associated with having an HIV test, whereas unprotected anal intercourse in the past 6 months (P6M) was associated with less preventive services participation. The most reported barriers to HIV testing were fear of testing HIV positive (79.3%) and perceiving no risk for HIV (75.4%). Almost all participants felt that ensuring confidentiality would encourage more MSM to have an HIV test. The two main reasons for not seeking HIV test was not knowing where to go for a test (63.2%) and perceiving low risk of HIV infection (55.1%).Given a high prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and risky behaviors and a relatively low HIV testing rate among MSM in Beijing, more efforts are urgently needed to address barriers to HIV testing and improve accessibility of prevention services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuejuan Zhao
- From the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (YZ, LZ, DX, HY, HL, XH); State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China (HZ, HX, YS, YR); The School of Population and Public Health University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (SWP)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|